I have some feelings about Bopaboo.
For those of you who haven’t read up yet, essentially Bopaboo is a “used CD store” for digital downloads. Users can upload their MP3s and sell them to other users, while Bopaboo takes a cut. They’re claiming this is legal because it’s legal to sell used CDs, and make the uploaders (we’ll call them “rapists,” … details later) agree to :
You further represent and warrant to the purchaser and to bopaboo that, upon the completion of such sale, You will delete any remaining copies of the Used Published Item that may exist in your possession, custody or control.
and to make sure that if you’re lying, YOU get sued and not the fine, upstanding gentleman and/or ladies behind Bopaboo (which, in my research, are conveniently hidden), they make you:
agree that any transaction you make is final and you agree to indemnify and defend bopaboo against any and all claims arising out of any transaction in which you are the seller as provided in Section 10 (“Indemnification”) of this Agreement.
Let’s talk about this argument that has come about in this digital age where if you provide the platform for mischief, and lawbreaking, you’re allowed to profit from that illegal activity, without penalty – so long as you pretend like you didn’t know that was going to happen. Yeah. Fucking. Right. Bopaboo knows damn well that 99% of the buying and selling done on their platform will be illegal, and they’re totally content to take a cut of it – and, should the rapist get caught, Bopaboo keeps the cash and walks away while the rapist goes to jail.
Look at this scenario. Someone builds a house, stocks it with an ass ton of booze, spreads some GHB out on the tables, and invites over some high school chicks. Then, they put the following ad in the paper:
PARTY! SATURDAY NIGHT! TONS OF DRUNK, DRUGGED UP HIGH SCHOOL CHICKS!!! ONLY FIVE BUCKS COVER!!! (by paying five bucks you promise not to rape any of the hot, passed out, supple, young (did we mention young?) high school chicks, really promise, and if you do, it’s your fault not ours, we had nothing to do with it).
If any of you want to argue with me about why stealing music is wrong, go ahead, I’ll win… I promise. You’re wrong. I’m right. The only reason why I don’t think you’re as morally reprehensible as the folks behind Bopaboo is because I think that somewhere, you sincerely believe that you’re not doing anything wrong (you are).
Bopaboo, however, is fully aware of what they are doing, know it’s wrong, and are willing to let others take the fall for it.
Everyone should be pissed about this, not just the copyright holders, but you music pirates as well.
Posted by c007km 