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Comment by testcock1 | Hacker News Reader

"The stream URLs can be accessed with any web browser, the streams can be played by any media player. If my app is infringing, so are iTunes, Windows Media Player, Safari, Internet Explorer, and Firefox. So is your car radio, for that matter."

None of those are charging for the access. And I think that is the only reason for CBC's aggressive approach.

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Not to beat this to death, but the developer created software. You're paying for the software, not the content.

It's like a paid browser (http://www.icab.de/index.html), the web content is free, but the software ads value somehow and costs money.

I hope someone can stand up to this kind of bulling and get this issue in court and decided on.

>Not to beat this to death, but the developer created software. You're paying for the software, not the content.

The software only allows access to CBC content. I don't see any way of adding additional streams to the list. That's what they're objecting to, probably.

There are non-free browsers that can access CBC's radio streams. Those must also be infringing.

The whole thing started with him labeling the app as if it is from CBC, brand name, logo and all. I think that's a pretty serious case of infringement, and CBC's attitude most likely stems from that.

Your car radio is definitely charging for access. How'd you get that car radio in the first place? You bought it. With money.

You can still make an analog radio yourself without having to purchase a license to do so. At least, in he US (not sure if you need a content license). So that argument is a little off. Plus, in that analogy, the authors argument still holds up - you are buying an app (car radio) that lets you view (hear) content that is otherwise distributd (broadcast) for free.

You can also write your own software without having to purchase a license to do so.

> You can still make an analog radio yourself without having to purchase a license to do so.

Sure, but you'll still have to pay for the parts to do so.

But those parts could be used for anything. There is nothing about buying electrical components that transfers a license to listen to the radio.

Technically, the user had to buy their phone too. That doesn't convey any special powers to the user to see/view CBC videos. (if any were needed)

I think you've misunderstood. Someone said that the issue is due to the app author charging for the app. Someone else said that even a radio isn't free, since you have to pay for that.

This has nothing to do with licenses.

Car radios are not free. Windows Media Player is only available to people who have legally purchased Microsoft Windows.

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