Just when you think you’ve seen it all, along comes more pro-entertainment industry legislation that leaves you picking your jaw up from the floor.
Starting July 1st, it will be illegal in Tennessee to share your online subscription service logins (such as those for Netflix or Rhapsody) with your friends.
The legislation, which has just been signed by Tennessee governor Bill Haslam, was championed by the RIAA to reduce losses they claim are caused by individuals buying one account and sharing it with others.
In future, if such sharing results in an unauthorized user obtaining $500 or less of media it will be classed as a misdemeanor punishable by a year in jail and a fine of $2,500. Above $500 and you’re up to a felony with even tougher penalties attached.
Yet again this new legislation shows that when it comes to buying just about anything, it’s one rule for just about any object on planet earth but another for entertainment products.
Want to lend someone your car? Sure. Your clothes? No problemo. Your house? You got it!
Your Netflix account for 6 months while you’re away backpacking in Asia? Go directly to jail, do not pass Go….
