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iPod privacy invasion at customs?

July 29th, 2008

Someone reported that the Australian government is seriously considering a request from the US government that would allow customs officials to check your iPod for illegal music.

I’m barely even able to put words together for the absolute rubbish that this is.

Actually I don’t even believe it is true.

OK it is true: news story and another.

This makes me so mad, makes me want to go out and get a Guy Falkes mask.

First thing’s first how stupid are these people that they think they would even be able to tell which are legally bought and which were downloaded? Secondly how bloody long do they want it to take at the airport!?!

I might write about my thoughts on piracy later in the week, in the meantime what do you all think of this bullshit?

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14 Comments

Rol July 29th, 2008
That’s utterly ridiculous. How can you tell the difference? How is this a job for customs? Just mental.

Rols last blog post..Why So Serious?

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Jeff July 29th, 2008
Yeah… that’s about as bone-headed as I can imagine on this topic. Makes no sense on any level.

However, just for the sake of clarity, unless I missed something I don’t see the US Government mentioned as the originator in either of these articles. Looks like it’s coming from private industry (music labels).

Jeffs last blog post..Randy Pausch passes on

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Widdle Shamrock July 29th, 2008
What utter crazy c**p.

Widdle Shamrocks last blog post..Screw Up Tuesday

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Sam July 29th, 2008
I am not sure that this is actually possible anyway?

I dont even know what music on my Ipod may have been downloaded on the sly…

Sams last blog post..This is my Brother

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Bettina July 29th, 2008
Oh what BS.

And how are they going to tell?

Talk about idiotic

Bettinas last blog post..Screw Up Tuesday

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Lee July 29th, 2008
Rol, all good points, it does irritate me slightly more that they specifically talk about the iPod too. More the news story problem. But there is no way you can tell what CDs I have at home.

It was only just made legal for me to put my purchased CD onto an Mp3 device if this agreement went forward it could potentially become illegal again *sigh*

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Lee July 29th, 2008
Jeff - I believe it’s to do with the free trade agreement in place between the US and Australian governments:

“US music labels are keen for their government to sign up other countries to the zero-tolerance stance.”

Certainly the US gov is being pressured by the dinosaurs that are the music industry.

Viva la Kid Rock

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Lee July 29th, 2008
Widdle Shamrock, you can say the word crap

Because it is crap.

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Lee July 29th, 2008
Sam - the concern I have is that they may be able to confiscate your device if they have reasonable concern, which could then be anytime they wanted in reality just to make an example of someone.

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Lee July 29th, 2008
Bettina, it really is BS, I can’t see how they would enforce this apart from making random examples of people.

I just don’t believe it’s possible and I doubt it will be passed but then again other rubbish has been passed in the past.

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Jayne July 29th, 2008
That’s a load of bollocks!
I’ve got stacks of vinyl I’m (trying) to copy onto CD, which I could then upload to my iPod.
Do I have to drag my vinyl, recording equipment, etc into Customs and/or a court room to prove myself???

Jaynes last blog post..NameThat…

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Lee July 29th, 2008
I never thought about vinyl actually Jayne, i wonder what legalities there are involved with transferring those over onto a different medium?

But it’s another example of an alternative source of music to put on your mp3 player.

What about live recordings too?

Oh it’s all so stupid. >:(

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Arjan July 29th, 2008
I think someone has been in the sun too long..
I don’t know how many people fit in the basic cheap airplane..if you take 200 passengers..and half of them has some kind of i-pod/mp3 player..you’d need to check 100 people’s’ players..and find a way to identify ‘illegal’ music.

I know for a fact that people from the copyright organisations don’t give a crap for copyright. I once was at a meeting where someone from the Dutch copyright branch attended and he admitted using Kazaa lite..but as he said..he didn’t upload anything so it wasn’t illegal.

Arjans last blog post..Lee-Beeds as promised

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Lee July 29th, 2008
Arjan, I’m guessing it is going to be a random selection type of thing like they currently do. Your iPod or other mp3 device will be checked at random.

On shuffle if you like

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