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RIAA Settlement: Possible Consumer Payback

Posted by timothy on from the don't-hold-your-breath dept.

KoopaTroopa writes "Over on Ars Technica they are running a story about the RIAA handing out consumer payments as a settlement to a price-fixing class action. If you bought a recording at retail between Jan. 1, 1995, and Dec. 22, 2000, claim your money." As usual, the lawyers win a lot more than you will, but the process is pretty painless if you'd like to collect part of the settlement money; you may recall this earlier story about the settlement.

5 of 428 comments (clear)

  1. Amen by PotatoMan · · Score: 4, Interesting
    That was exactly my feeling when I got to the sign-up page. I didn't mind some of the questions, but when I realized they had enough info to build my SSN from, and that the info was not secure, I started wondering if this site is real or not.


    I guess we'll know when the 'identity theft' ring goes into action.


    Preach it, Lamont!

  2. No thanks RIAA,already gave at <insrt-store> by trentfoley · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Considering I pay the RIAA with every cdr I use, and that less than 1% of my cdr usage is for music, I feel that I am giving the RIAA enough already. That's all the justification I need.

  3. Consider the consequences! by Raetsel · · Score: 5, Interesting

    JWZ had a very good point -- this was discussed on BoingBoing, and here's what he had to say:
    • "Doesn't taking their $20 payoff constitute an agreement that they have paid their debt? If they have in fact engaged in price fixing, they owe us a hell of a lot more than $20 each. I suspect that taking the $20 in hush-money will preclude one from participating in any future, similar legal action against them."
    Damn skippy.

    Too bad I don't have Microsoft-level resources for lawyers, or I might end up owning the RIAA. (Yeah, right.) On second thought, I'd better be careful -- MS might get ideas...

    The question of SSNs also came up, and was addressed -- it looks like they have a legitimate reason for asking.

    --

    "...America's great minds of today, teaching America's great minds of tomorrow. Poor bastards." -- A Beautiful Min
  4. Re:Signing also says you agree. by poot_rootbeer · · Score: 5, Interesting


    In fact, everyone should go beyond just passively not claiming their share of this settlement, and actually submit the appropriate paperwork to exclude yourselves, in essence rejecting the settlement. We all know this isn't a fair compensation, and the more people who speak out and say so the better the chances that a more equitable settlement will be reached.

  5. I wonder if anyone noticed by tonyzeb · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I wonder if any one noticed that the settlement was for 67 MILLION dollars? That means 13 MILLION people have to sign up for it before it goes below 5 bucks a person. I like Slashdot, but I dont' think there are that many readers. If less than three million people sign up, which seems reasonable to say, everyone gets Twenty bucks. Cool. Besides, anyone who is a REAL freak about their personal information would have a PO BOX, and wouldn't care. Amateurs.