Red Blooded American Boy

OK. I admit it. When I was a teenager, I thought librarians were hot. There was something about a quiet, studious woman with glasses that really fired up teenage horny-mones. That soft and pounding sound of library card stampers echoed the sound of my heart. Nothing made me happier than to see her pay attention to what I was reading, even commenting on my selection of books. Yes, that book about traveling the world certainly reflects my adventurous and rock-climbing side.

But, now things have changed. The librarian is no longer attractive. Instead, she is a digital spy that watches and records what I read. Even worse, she shares information with law enforcement about what I am reading. Now, I don’t want her to know what I am reading.

Luckily, I am a proud owner of a Sony Reader. They don’t seem to care about what you read, not sharing information with law enforcement. But, I do use Google Books to read public domain books.

The collection of my book purchase patterns or browsing does not bother me if it is used within the organization for marketing, sales and other proprietary business improvement purposes. But, what exactly does Google, Amazon and B&N have to share with law enforcement about me? Will the government begin to put people who buy or download controversial books on a watch list? So, for instance, if I read a copy of Mien Kampf will that put me on a Nazi extremist watch list?

Maybe, the government wants to know what I read to enforce intellectual property rights laws? For instance, if I have a copyrighted book on my device, I better be able to prove a purchase occurred for that book. However, if the Feds invade my home, will they demand a receipt for all books on my bookshelf? No. So, why all of this infringement of rights for digital copies of books? This appears to be an excuse for government intrusion in our lives.

The “Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement” being negotiated world wide is the catalyst for this type of imposition. We need to be aware and keep an eye on government before they can only keep an eye on us.

The proliferation of infringements of intellectual property rights (“IPR”) particularly in the context of counterfeiting and piracy poses an ever-increasing threat to the sustainable development of the world economy. The consequences of such IPR infringements include (1) depriving legitimate businesses and their workers of income; (2) discouraging innovation and creativity; (3) threatening consumer health and safety; (4) providing an easy source of revenue for organized crime; and (5) loss of tax revenue. — Fact Sheet, ACTA.

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