RIAA Apologizes for Incorrect Infringement Notice

theradixhunter writes "News.com is reporting that the RIAA has apologized to the Pennsylvania State University for sending a threatening letter making an incorrect allegations of copyright violations. It appears that the automated system that the RIAA uses picked the term "Usher" and the extenstion ".mp3" on an FTP site hosting the work of Professor Emeritus Peter Usher and falsely assumed that the files were songs by the musician Usher. The university accepted the apology saying "that this was an honest mistake by the recording industry" and Spokesman Tysen Kendig said Penn State "remains committed to working closely with the RIAA"."

Comments

rock and roll will never die

[unk1911]

RIAA will never win. they don't stand a chance. move with times. that's all i can say

why not kill two birds with one stone?

[martin-boundary]

The RIAA should search for files containing Usher and mp3, but instead of deleting them, they should all be replaced with ten second "sample" music clips. That way, users don't have to worry about losing files, *and* they get exposed to music they might like. This might even boost record sales!

Re:The current state of things...

[efflux]

Yeah, here's the letter I got:

Subject: Copyright Infringement is Illegal

Did you know that offering access to an illegally duplicated copyrighted song could cost you over $150,000 in damages plus legal fees if a record company sues you for copyright infringement and wins?

Most record companies and movie studios now employ firms to act as "Internet Watchdogs". These firms have various ways of looking for illegal copies of songs, movies, games, software, and other copyrighted works. Recently, record companies and movie studios have stepped up their efforts to crack down on illegal sharing of copyrighted songs and movies.

Just last week, the Recording Industry Association of America filed lawsuits against four college students for allegedly offering access to copyrighted music files within their campus networks. The lawsuits, according to an April 4, 2003 article in The Chronicle of Higher Education, ask for damages of $150,000 per recording. The lawsuits were filed directly against the four students; the universities attended by the students were not named as defendants, and received no prior notice of the pending lawsuits.

Sharing copyrighted works without the express consent of the copyright owners is illegal, even when the sharing is only within the campus network and no money is exchanged for the works. As an illegal act, sharing copyrighted works is also against University policy. Students in violation of this policy will be subject to campus disciplinary procedures.

and my relpy, sent from the safe anonymity of a yahoo account:

I don't appreciate receiving these preemptive threats. I wish Central would get the RIAA's dick out of their mouth and stop sending their propaganda through campus-wide e-mails. I would be surprised to find a student who *isn't* aware of the recent lawsuit, or who *isn't* aware of the RIAA's attempt to crack down on copyright infringement. This is not a public service announcement. Stop acting like it is.

I wish I attended a school that had a broader sense of integrity than enforcing outmoded copy restrictions through abusive scare tactics only so that they will be seen as a "cooperative agent" by the RIAA.

Fuck you, buddy. I'll have none of it.

and the school's response:

You would be surprised to know how many students do not know about this problem, it is our intention to try to make sure that they do not get into trouble. I am sorry that you do not see the value in this approach.

Now, I know this guy was "just doing his job", and I most likely gave him an unjustly bad day. However, I was flat pissed that they were doing this. I don't even download songs and I was feeling targeted. Best I can say for the guy who sent this out at our school, is at least he took my abuse well.

Re:Why pay attention when your extorting?

[EpsCylonB]

4) ???

5) profit!

Re:Why pay attention when your extorting?

[hymie3]

1. Make "profit" jokes.
2. ???
3. Profit!!!