DVD

This poem is in honour of Jon Johanssen, who was arrested for writing his own software to play his DVD movies.

The corporates buy up thoughts. They call a choice
Trademark infringement and a private vision
Copyright violation. The law's decision
Is that you have to pay to have a voice.

A patrimony vanishes like snow
Up film stars' noses. Lawyers buzz and sting
And anyone who climbs into the ring
With Disney knows that Mickey punches low.

You were arrested so that Hollywood
Can live its fantasy of full control.
The courts send out injunctions to no good.
The web sites play the game of Whack the Mole,
Keeping what you have written from their reach
And lines of hacker's C become free speech.

K.M.Payne

If you've any comments on his poems, K.M. Payne would be pleased to hear from you.

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