[Cerek the Barbaric]

I personally disagree with anti-P2P legislation for a number of reasons. First of all, if I want to share a file or copy a file from someone else - and we are both willing to share those files - then that should be allowed (IMO, of course). Secondly, I'm not worried about the legislation outlawing VCR's - but I'm extremely worried about it outlawing PC's!!!! CDRW drives are standard equipment on ALL PC's being manufactured today. That - coupled with the availability of P2P software - makes your basic home computer FAR more likely to be targeted as a "dual use" device that has the potential for copyright infringement.

I personally think the impact of P2P sharing is blown greatly out of proportion by the RIAA and others. I admit I could be wrong because I base this on personal experience. I've downloaded many music files in order to make "compilation" CD's. The files include songs by various artists (and sometimes specific artists to create a "Best Of" type album) and it also includes different genres of music.

The plain fact is that I would have spent around $200 or more to get these songs off the original CD's because there were usually only 1 or 2 songs on a specific CD that I wanted or liked. And that is another thing that P2P could accomplish. It could force artists to start producing better quality music and including a larger number of good tracks on a CD rather than putting the one or two tracks they expect to make it as singles and then just putting "filler songs" on the rest of the CD.

Sadly for me - but happily for the supporters of P2P regulation - I lost ALL of my files when I had a new HD put into my machine. So I no longer have the files nor do I have the software to obtain them. Because of all the spyware associated with ALL of the P2P software (even KaZaa Light), I am seriously considering NOT downloading ANY of the P2P programs.

Of course, I downloaded more than just music files. I also downloaded several music videos (especially from the 80's) because I never got to watch MTV very much growing up (our local cable system didn't carry it). So I really enjoyed watching some of those videos I never got a chance to watch when they were new or "hot".

I'll have to abide by whatever decision is reached, but I'll never agree that anti-P2P is a good thing - because I believe it violates the privacy of each of us as individuals, but again, that's just my opinion. YMMV.