ATTABOY AWARD: Gateway Takes on CBDTPA

[Editors note: Reposted with a little clean up. mlw]
 
While I was trying to catch-up on my rest, Gateway Computers launched their own campaign to combat the CBDTPA and other issues surrounding the digital music game and customer rights last week while I was still at NAB2002. Ted Waitt and Gateway are doing what they know is right and are willing to literally stick their neck out to tell the facts.

The one-minute television spot,  featuring Ted and Olympia the Cow began airing last Wednesday night, ends with this message: "Gateway supports your right to enjoy digital music legally." [ya!]

"Digital technology allows consumers to enjoy music in new and exciting ways, but illegal piracy and government intervention both threaten to stop the music," said Ted Waitt, Gateway chairman and CEO. "Our customers are telling us clearly that they value digital music technology and they want to keep using it legally. This campaign is intended to show we support their right to do so while giving them the tools and information they need to understand and use digital music technology in ways that don't harm copyright holders."  [Snagged from Press Release]

Knowing Ted--  I knew that he had done his homework (he always did,) and this statement wasn't going to be the end of it. He can be as stubborn as a bull when he believes something's right.  So I went over to the website to see Gateway is telling people how to rip and burn legal MP3s (thru Gateway and emusic,) doing in-store demos, giving away CDRs, legal MP3s, telling people what in legal and what's not, how to send letters of protest to Congress and providing products and services (including reselling broadband connections,) to Gateway and non-Gateway customers.

While Gateway isn't the first to teach the world about Rip'nBurn it's one of the first PC companies to come out publically and take a stand on what they believe is right for everyone.  Don't let that farmer-friendly outfit surprise you. They have a pitchfork in their hand and-- it's aimed firmly at Hollings hindquarters. [targeting....]

It appears that Gateway isn't the only one upset with Senator Hollings - Breaking News

2:11:10 AM