MiskatonicU, I agree, they haven't removed the ability to stream tunes if I really wanted to. There are a number of legal ways I can go outside (or inside) to do it. I also don't believe that Apple is my friend or pal. There are a number of levels why this upsets me...and it isn't being downtrodden by The Man.

1. Apple obviously meant to include the feature...they engineered it to allow people to share music for personal use outside a subnet...they documented it. The intention was a valid one because THEY understand that allowing someone to use their own music regardless of location is perfectly legal fair use.

Period...end of story.

When the feature was misused and a few people used the technology for piracy, they didn't FIX the problem, they removed funcitonality...and called it an enhancement...implying progress or improvement. As a former executive in the software business, this smells bad...it is bad engineering and bad business. Now many people will say that it was good business decision, allowing Apple to appease the media companies and keep the store open.

Wrong.

The correct approach to fixing this problem is progressively. You look at what causes the feature to be misused and repair it, enhance it. You don't remove it out of fear.

2. Don't bullshit me. Don't tell me you don't trust me, remove the feature, and tell me you are enhancing it.

Nowhere did I say that Apple violated my rights...or that Apple didn't have the right to do it...they OWN the software. I do think it is sloppy programming, bad business, and poor PR. I also don't think it addresses the real issues or help the problem of staving off piracy. In fact what it tells the music industry is that they have the power to control the development of technology...if they don't like something...just smash it. Do you really want that? I can point you to several court cases where the RIAA has actually sued technology companies that now provide you with MP3 players, CD players, etc.

I'm not sitting here holding up the Constitution or Bill of Rights...that is something inferred incorrectly. I am saying that on mutliple levels, this was the wrong thing to do and the wrong way to do it. I do have the right to stream music and Apple has the right to do whatever to their software, but don't bullshit your customers...and that is why the title of this discussion is so apropos.