08-15-2008, 09:11 AM | #1 |
Beepbeep n beebeep, yeah!
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Friday's question of the week 15 aug 08
So, if I have to buy all my books from Amazon and they won't let me read them on anything else, can the US Government confiscate my computer at the border because the copyright laws suck?
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08-15-2008, 09:20 AM | #2 |
Super Skwerl
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I would bet yes. A laptop from a truly super honest person can be taken so why not a reader. I bet they figure they can take anything that can hold electronic information, ebooks, laptops, mp3 players, pda..ect ect..
I hate to say it but it may get worse before it gets better |
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08-15-2008, 10:29 AM | #3 |
Technogeezer
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They could seal the computer and not allow you to open the seals until you have re-entered the US. Doubtful but possible.
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08-15-2008, 11:13 AM | #4 | ||
Holy S**T!!!
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Quote:
Quote:
And, agreed, the copyright laws suck. But .... even Amazon allows that you may keep backup copies of your azw books on your computer. Even if you can't read them there ... which I wish you could. |
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08-15-2008, 11:15 AM | #5 | |
Holy S**T!!!
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Just asking. |
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08-15-2008, 11:25 AM | #6 |
Beepbeep n beebeep, yeah!
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Aw, c'mon, folks! This is an UNUTTERABLY SILLY thread! If I wanted the overly serious approach, I'd've gone to the abundance in other fora.
Silly! Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Si lly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Sill y!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly! Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Si lly!Silly!Silly!Silly!Silly! |
08-15-2008, 12:25 PM | #7 |
zeldinha zippy zeldissima
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hm, i'm a bit confused, *what* kind of reply did you want, exactly ?
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08-15-2008, 12:27 PM | #8 |
Hi There!
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Yes, they might inspect mine, because of its attractive color and design (turd brown and lumpy). They would be appalled at what I'm carrying on it - In the Midnight Hour, which is definitely erotica, lots of books about spacemen, and the Bible.
Copyright? Um, what do you mean, Officer? I'm just little ol' me and don't know anything about copyrights. Honest, Officer, I'm just holding it for my friend. I found it on the sidewalk, Officer, and don't know what it is. I was taking it to Lost & Found when you stopped me. I read it, but never inhaled. What do you mean by "is," Officer? But Officer, the guy I bought it from looked like a legitimate businessman. So pshrynkydink, think of another question. This one is boring. |
08-15-2008, 12:39 PM | #9 |
Beepbeep n beebeep, yeah!
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Hey, I can't be scintillating EVERY week!
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08-15-2008, 12:47 PM | #10 |
zeldinha zippy zeldissima
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08-15-2008, 12:54 PM | #11 | |
Holy S**T!!!
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But still, Amazon does let you download straight to your computer and keep the files there if you want. So ... since you are perfectly in line with the EULA in having the files on your computer ... the answer is still "no." OK .... now the REAL answer to your question. The answer is ...... FORTY TWO!!!! |
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08-15-2008, 03:17 PM | #12 |
Technogeezer
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You want silly, ok. They force you to remove all the letters "A" in the texts because that is what the export restrictions say.
Silly enough? Then how about, you have to read all of the texts aloud before they allow you to leave the inspection area. This provides them with a week of entertainment during which you are not allowed to leave even to go to the rest room. Silly, let me think. OK, they quizz you on the plots and themes of each book and you are about to miss your flight when the entire airport is besieged by a gian robot answering to the name of "Marvin" that creates enough confusion for you to grab your things, run to the gate, and just make your flight. |
08-15-2008, 05:10 PM | #13 | |
Holy S**T!!!
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08-15-2008, 06:32 PM | #14 |
Technogeezer
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Or when there was a typesetter's strike in LA and they refused to use the letter "C" so they spelled the state's name as "Kalifornia"
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08-15-2008, 07:25 PM | #15 |
DSil
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Well, they could, but they won't. You see the copyright laws don't suck, they exhibit copyright gravity. If the border patrol collect too many devices together the resultance accumulation of copyright law would cause a nasty copyright and legal black hole. Unlike normal black holes, which sucks in everything, the black hole resulting from a critical mass of unusually copyrighted material sucks in copyright laws and lawyers, and only let out the exceptionally rare anti-particles known as "Common Sense". Now, Tom Paine notwithstanding, the US Government cannot risk either the sudden absense of copyright laws and lawyers, or an uncontrolled release of "Common Sense", and so has instructed all border guards to leave such devices well enough alone.
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clouds of enlightenment, unutterable silliness |
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