In the UK you are supposed to get a license to have a public performance of copyright materials, including the public radio stations. If other blokes are hearing your “broadcast” then you need a license. Ars Technica brings up the point that this could eventually be applied to cubicle farms, but I get the impression that groups like the Performing Rights Society want to charge for anytime anyone even thinks of a song. I mean, what is the point of a radio if it’s not to listen to music?! I mean, what would happen if I was in a park and had my radio up loud enough for someone else to hear? Am I conducting a public performance of *gasp* copyrighted materials?! They might as well attach a Jolly Roger to each and every device that can potentially conduct one of these open air piracy buffets!

This is laughably stupid, a fact supported after briefly explaining the facts to my wife, who, being smart but not a total geek (I’m still working on that), came to the same conclusion I did. I think her exact quote was something along the lines, “That’s dumb.”