> And this is what really makes me mad: I can't route my DVD player through my VCR, but Eminem can steal an ENTIRE SONG and use it to make money. How is this different from pirating? Well, it's "sampling". Oh, OK then. How 'bout this. I didn't pirate that game, I SAMPLED IT! I didn't copy that DVD and sell the copies for a buck each, I SAMPLED IT! Guess what? I'm going to get laughed at, slapped with a fine, and/or sent to jail! And I know what the reason is. If Eminem plays someone elses song with his own rap plastered into it, he makes money, the recording industry makes money, and he could have done it in his living room with a couple of tape players in ten minutes. It all centers around money, really.

i totally agree with you that your VCR/DVD situation sucks, and that the DMCL is a totally stupid piece of legislation. however when Eminem samples something he doesn't steal it....artists whose songs are sampled are usually given a royalty fee, as well as mention in the album cover :) and if Eminem IS sampling something and not giving the original author credit, he can be sued, simple as that.

--jon