FCC has nothing to do with copyrights.

Dave T2

So you are saying that all copyrights apply in international waters and international space. I don't get it.

JJK

I don't understand your point. A copyright applies according to national and internation laws despite the delivery medium. Satellite radio is just a delivery medium like regular radio or TV. Since most TV is broadcast through satellites, why would radio be any different.

Dave T2

It was my understanding that nothing is soveriegn in international space or international waters. When you put up a satellite in international space and if someone else blows it away you can do nothing legally for damages. You can illegally blow their satellites away though and say your sorry. So if your broadcasting radio station is on a ship in international waters you can gamble and use as much power as you want and the FCC can do nothing. Same with a satellite if the origin of the broadast is on the satellite and not on Earth. So if they were violating copyright laws there is nothing legally that can be done. You could jam them I guess but who will pay for the jammer equipment?
Same if you were broadcasting from an island that you own. Just wondering about the future radio broadcasts from the moon. Sounds like anything goes to me. Since no one owns the moon what rules would be followed if any since they are bound by no one.

JJK

The means and vehicle of transmitting the media may not be 'owned' by any specific country, corporation, or individual, but the content is still copyrighted, regardless of how it gets to you.
Pirate radio has been around forever, but with the internet, I don't see the point in it any longer. But either way, broadcast by "pirates" or by geeks over the internet, or by litte green men on the moon...the content is still copyrighted.

And I'll still be recording Howard Stern for my own private enjoyment anyway.

It doesn't matter how you obtain it -- if you try to distribute a work in a jurisdiction (country) in which it is protected by copyright, you're open to liability. And most countries protect.

What I really ment to say was if you are your own country then copyrights are un-enforceable unless you are invaded and captured by a superior force. In other words you make your own laws where anything goes. I'm sure that Hiltler, and the like didn't give a hoot about copyrights.

JJK

Unfortunately, that is what is happening in some countries already. DVDs and CDs are copied without any concern for copyrights in places like China. Not much you can do unless you make them enforce trade agreements and copyright laws.

I don't think one country would invade another to prevent copyright, at least I hope not. :(

Dave T2

China makes toekn efforts to enforce IP, I say token. They bust enough businesses so they can something like they prosecuted 1,000, they don't say that's 1,000 out of 1,000,000.

Thing is in China a lot of this is done by very small family businesses in rural areas. In all honesty I doubt the central government could afford the political fallout if they did stop it, whole economies would collapse. Furthermore they've got far more pressing issues to deal with, in Xian in the city square you're forever hassled by young grubby girls selling roses, these are kidnapped children and the police have no way to deal with it.

India on the other hand had an official policy of ignoring IP, used to know med students who'd fly to India to buy their text books, Greys Anatomy for $10 etc. Of course it was probably printed on hand made recycled paper.

Bob.