I no longer practice law, but since you never know how this here Internet thang will pan out, I do
maintain my license. That means 24 hours of CLE every two years.
Despite not practicing law, I still have an interest in learning about interesting new developments in areas applicable to TechnoLawyer.
But sadly, I've found only one CLE provider — the National Academy of Continuing Legal Education — that offers its courses in my preferred format — MP3 files (the files are on a CD-ROM, but they are not restricted so you can easily transfer them to iTunes and then to your iPod).
I say sadly because the NACLE doesn't have material of interest to me. So last year, I listened to 24 hours of lectures on my iPod bored out of my mind. Nonetheless, kudos to the NACLE for providing its lectures in MP3 format.
Why don't other CLE providers? Why instead do they stream their courses on the Web? It makes no sense!
Being chained to my desk is better than being chained to a hotel ballroom, but it nonetheless prevents me from listening while walking or in my car.
Earlier this month, Apple CEO Steve Jobs published an article entitled Thoughts on Music in which he encouraged music companies to sell songs free of digital rights management (DRM).
I agree with Apple that doing so would boost sales, but I also understand the reluctance of the music companies to embrace it since the recording is what they sell.
But this situation doesn't exist with CLE providers. They don't really sell recordings. They sell verification and credits.
For example, if I buy a CLE course in MP3 format and like it so much I send it to 10 friends, I haven't hurt the CLE provider in the slightest. By contrast, that CLE provider should sing my praises! For my friends to get credit for listening to that lecture, they would have to register with the CLE provider — i.e., pay up. Only the CLE provider can provide verification and grant the credits.
In short, file sharing is a great business model for CLE!
So I hereby call upon all CLE providers to sell their lectures in MP3 format (MPEG-4 format for videos).
We lawyers will then buy them, listen to them on our iPods (or on our PCs), and share the ones we like with friends, thereby providing you with free marketing.
Capisce?
About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.
