Tech Briefs Insider » 2007 » December http://www.techbriefsinsider.com Questions of the Week Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:05:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 en Should converting CDs to MP3s be legal? http://www.techbriefsinsider.com/2007/12/17/question-of-the-week-28/ http://www.techbriefsinsider.com/2007/12/17/question-of-the-week-28/#comments Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:56:52 +0000 TechBriefs http://www.techbriefsinsider.com/?p=563 This week’s question concerns a lawsuit recently filed in Arizona by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) against Jeffrey and Pamela Howell, a pair of ordinary consumers who recently converted their CD collection to MP3s for their own personal use. What makes this latest copyright case of interest is that it apparently contradicts arguments made by the RIAA’s lawyers in a 2005 case in which they stated that making digital copies of one’s music collection for personal use was a protected right for consumers. What do you think? Should converting CDs to MP3s be legal?

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]]> http://www.techbriefsinsider.com/2007/12/17/question-of-the-week-28/feed/ Should animals be for rent? http://www.techbriefsinsider.com/2007/12/10/question-of-the-week-27/ http://www.techbriefsinsider.com/2007/12/10/question-of-the-week-27/#comments Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:07:11 +0000 TechBriefs http://www.techbriefsinsider.com/?p=548 This week’s question concerns the growing trend of pet rental in Japan and other countries. Simply walk into a pet store, choose a dog, and rent it for a few hours or a few days, and then bring it back. Many feel that it’s a good option for those who don’t have the space or the time for a full-time pet. Animal activists say pets should not be rented like a DVD or other commodity, and that it’s cruel to the animal. What do you think? Should animals be for rent?

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]]> http://www.techbriefsinsider.com/2007/12/10/question-of-the-week-27/feed/ Should bar owners be held accountable when patrons are cited for DWI? http://www.techbriefsinsider.com/2007/12/03/question-of-the-week-26/ http://www.techbriefsinsider.com/2007/12/03/question-of-the-week-26/#comments Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:14:23 +0000 TechBriefs http://www.techbriefsinsider.com/?p=535 This week’s question concerns the state of New Jersey adopting a “last-drink” initiative under which police are required to ask motorists stopped on suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI) where they had their last drink. The answers are sent to state investigators, who “pinpoint” those bars. The plan worries bar owners, who argue that patrons should be responsible for their own actions, and that people can be found legally drunk after only two drinks. What do you think? Should bar owners be held accountable when patrons are cited for DWI?

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