Dear Media Executives:

Here’s why using the DMCA to force take down of fair-use clips of your copyrighted material is a bad idea.

1. I saw a clip from an episode of Boston Legal, via YouTube, posted to a blog I read. I watched it. I enjoyed it.
2. As a result of (1), I decided that I would set my DVR to record Boston Legal. I watched it. I enjoyed it.
3. As a result of (2), I decided to buy the first season of Boston Legal on DVD. I watched it. I enjoyed it.
4. As a result of (3), I decided to buy the second season of Boston Legal on DVD.

As a direct result of someone posting a three-minute clip of a James Spader diatribe to YouTube, you have made over $50 in retail sales.

And that’s why bludgeoning people with the DMCA is bad.

Love,
–sabrina