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Comment by tankenmate | Hacker News Reader

It would seem your issue is with the DMCA, if so then the way to fix it is to change the legislation; lobby the necessary politicians to get the law changed.

If you object to people following the law because you feel they don't hold the same views on the matter at hand, the point is moot, unless of course you feel they should break the law.

Which leads back to, if you don't like a law then lobby for it to be changed.

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My issue is indeed with the DMCA. Which is why, throughout this entire thread, I have not said a single word against Microsoft's actions. I'm not sure why you replied to my comment.

When faced with an oppressive law, people are entitled to do everything within their power to deal with it. Changing the law itself is certainly a great solution when practical, but it is not always practical.

Which laws have you gotten changed through lobbying?

All the ones I paid for.

Signed: CEO's of the US.

Isn't this exactly how laws are changed in the US? Lobbying has more to do with how the country works than voting.

My point is that’s a field of political power that even well-off members of the working class like computer programmers have zero access to. You will never affect a law which protects capital interests like the DMCA by writing your senators and congresspeople.

Sure, but you might hosting fundraising dinners, or making donations the NGOs that do have K-street lobbyist on staff. Both are activities professional-class software engineers have access to support.

I would love to see the lobbying success rate of any NGOs which may exist to repeal laws which protect capital interests.

Me personally?

I've changed the laws in two countries through my lobbying efforts, though saying which two countries (and which laws) would be too identifying given that this is my quasi-anonymous account.

But on that note, businesses change laws through lobbying all the time. That is indeed one of the complaints about our current system of government: that it is too susceptible to lobbying.

Is one of those countries the US?

Of course laws change in response to business interests. The context of this discussion is changing laws like the DMCA, though, which protect capital interests.

Problem solved people.

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