@Gusfmm: Whether you meant any offense by your comment or not, I took some; I usually do when somebody describes what I say as 'nonsense'. I don't take any particular pleasure when I send someone to re-read my posts, on the contrary it takes time to respond to that person and type that suggestion out. However it saves a lot more time as I wouldn't have to type all this in this case. And verily, my comment about 'inferior quality' can be interpreted as having 'ethical' implications, and not even remote ones. When you duplicate/triplicate etc. something from a digital source to an analogue tape for someone else - not that that's ethical - you lose a lot of quality, therefore if that someone really admires the content will most likely go out and buy it. When it's offered to him on a digital plate however, he suddenly becomes lazy, parsimonious, idiotic...
No, I didn't agree to the cellular phone company being able to track me down anywhere I am anytime. No, I don't feel uncomfortable letting Microsoft verify the authenticity of my Windows copy every time I get the latest update for a) Microsoft is not obliged to update pirated copies of their products, b) this is not the same example as what is being said here, as with the Microsoft example it would be up to me whether to upgrade or not, whereas with the VSL products we are talking about verifying ourselves periodically in order to use the products and versions for which we have already paid. My insurance does not need to send someone periodically to visit me for any item I have insured that does not wear and tear during the passage of time. Of course they would have to do it with a home or a vehicle for example. Lastly, to the best of my ability and knowledge I clean my computer system daily from all such Internet garbage you mention that companies force-feed it. Anything else?
As far as the periodical synchronization of the eLicencer, why have it every 2-3 months? Why not daily, or even hourly? If your argument was the only consideration, why should we allow a pirate to finish even one track using our key at our expense?...
@Cyril: DBX? I'll keep that in mind. As far as my proposing something else, I propose that government agencies come down really hard on Internet piracy and prosecute for huge damages. Treat it as diligently as they would child pornography. Any street establishment that is cought selling illegal/stolen goods is immediately closed down and the proprietors not just prosecuted, but arrested! Why should that not apply to Internet illegal sites (some don't sell, they share but have some advertisements or subscription fees for quick downloads)? Anybody who helps with the proliferation of stolen goods has to shoulder the responsibility of their criminal actions; be it the server, the company that assists with the downloads, and certainly the troll that uploads / makes available the merchandise in the first place. Why should we continue to shoulder the responsibility collectively, go out of our way, be penalized (restricted) because the relevant government agencies don't take action, or because the government refuses to legislate properly in order to protect intellectual property as well as any other kind of property?
I would welcome the legal backup laws that you quoted (for personal use), if at the same time strict laws for abusers were to be passed - and enforced - concurrently. Finally, and in that mindset and vein, I would - again reluctantly - consider the annual ping to the mother company (let the thieving turd work for a few months with the stolen key, probably some chugga-chugga composter) if some contigencies were satisfactorily addressed, and apply pressure to the authorities to do the job we pay them to do!!
