Isle of Man proposes compulsory license for downloads

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Sounds like a steal: I like the idea of a subscription service, so I'd have:

Gas
Electricity
Satellite TV feed
Music Feed
General data feed

The IOM charge seems far too low. What about something like the monthly rental for SKY TV? Say 30-50$ depending on what data channels the subscriber selected.

One thing the rights holders are missing is that human greed would ensure that the majority subscribed and downloaded far more than they could consume. While the unit cost of an item would be lower, the number sold would increase dramatically.

The situation reminds me of the gambling industry in the UK at the turn of the millenium. The Government levied a 10% tax on betting making it difficult even for professional gamblers and bookmakers, let alone ordinary punters. The leading bookies then set up Internet operations in Gibralter where there was no tax. The UK Chancellor realised that he was about to get 10% of nothing soonest. So the industry and Government negociated a good agreement: no tax for the punters and a corporation tax on firms' annual profits. The idea being that the abolition of tax would cause an big increase in custom. Worked a treat: everyone won.

The UK government is trying a similar approach for illegal P2P sharing (see results of consultation at http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/sectors/digitalcon/p2presponses/page49707.html)
but I think the corporates will not play ball this time so the war will continue. Their loss.; Posted by: johnfenjackson@... Posted on: 01/27/09 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use