Tomorrow the MGM v Grokster case goes before the US Supreme Court.
I'm hoping for a rememberance that the purpose of copyright is to benefit society through the encouragement of creativity and innovation. In other words, I want Grokster to win.
But no matter what the outcome, there is no reason to expect the Movie Industry to turn off its juggernaut designed to lock up all digital representations of everything.
So I figure that it's time to hit back and to do so where it hurts the Movie Industry the most - in the wallet.
So here's the deal. I want you to make the following pledge to yourself:
I <insert your name>, during the year 2005, and during each successive year until the Movie Industry stops being a copyright bully, will refrain from spending my money to view three movies that I would otherwise have gone to see. Instead I will go to three works performed by live actors in a live theatre or performed by live musicians playing real instruments or singing using their own voices.
The Movie Industry makes lots and lots of dogs that simply are not worth watching, ever. Don't waste your money. And don't enrich the copyright bullies.
For those of you who are in the Santa Cruz area during this coming summer you might want to consider consummating your pledge by coming with us to Shakespeare Santa Cruz or by attending the Cabrillo Music Festival.
Theatre is Life
Cinema is Art
Television is Furniture.