MPAA's frigging insanity

By the way, about that personal use 'loophole' (at least as the MPAA apparently views it) I mentioned before? Well, they're trying to close it. Get this: as reported by Slashdot about a month back, the MPAA is lobbying Congress with a proposed bill that would make unauthorized home theaters illegal. Home theater = any home with a television larger than 29", with stereo sound and at least two comfortable chairs, couch, or futon. Unauthorized = has not paid a $50 registration fee with the MPAA. Illegal = up to a $500,000 fine per movie shown. Quotes from the writeup:

The bill would require that any hardware manufactured in the future contain technology that tells the MPAA directly of what is being shown and specific details on the audience. The data would be gathered using various motion sensors and biometric technology..... The bill also stipulates that any existing home theaters be retrofitted with the technology or else the owner is responsible for directly informing the MPAA and receiving approval before each viewing.

And more quotes, these directly from MPAA godfather...err...head Dan Glickman:

"We didn't act early enough with the online sharing of our copyrighted content. This time we're not making the same mistake. We have a right to know what's showing in a theater.... Just because you buy a DVD to watch at home doesn't give you the right to invite friends over to watch it too. That's a violation of copyright and denies us the revenue that would be generated from DVD sales to your friends....Ideally we expect each viewer to have their own copy of the DVD, but we realize that isn't always feasible. The registration fee is a fair compromise."

Treating consumers as criminals. What a brilliant business model....not. I know I'm repeating myself, but....friggin' insanity, that's what it is....