Quote:
Originally Posted by BoldlyDubious
After all, all industries are heavily constrained by laws in their operation, in order to guarantee benefits to the public; and such laws are changed whenever circumstances change. I can't see why media companies should not be subjected to similar pressures.
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Well, actually, laws are in place to keep the industries from endangering or ripping off the public, not necessarily to "guarantee benefits." There was no benefit to the "pet rock," but there was a health hazard inherent in red dye #5.
Media companies are under similar restrictions, ie, avoiding certain ear- or neurally-damaging sounds on albums, avoiding flashing lights that can trigger epileptic seizures, etc. Even blatant lying to the public can be permissible, unless it triggers some undesirable behavior.
Sure there are laws that protect businesses from the public... but there are many more laws that protect the public from businesses.