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RIAA Warns Individual Swappers
Joey Patterson writes "CNET News.com reports that the RIAA has sent cease-and-desist letters to four individuals for allegedly pirating its music on P2P networks." They have yet to publicly release the names of who they have contacted, but 4 of the 5 were Verizon subscribers involved with their previous high profile case.
Wow actually going against people who broke the law? I didn't like that the RIAA was going after all these middle men who provided sharing services and software but the file swapers actually broke copy right law. I think this is a much fairer tactic. They also started with warning letters instead of a bagillion dollar lawsuit. I think this is the way they should handle copyright infringement.
As x approaches total apathy I couldn't care less.
There's no question that thousands of people pirate music, and have tons of it stored illegally on their computer. We know the whole thing is just a scare tactic by the RIAA. They could never prosecute 10% of who pirate music. It's like speeding. They'll catch whoever they can to deter everyone else.
The only thing is you have much better chance at getting caught going 90 in 60 than you do with 40 GB of mp3s on your hard drive. So they've got 9 people so far. 9 lucky winnners of the RIAA lawsuit lottery! I'm pretty sure this will stop just about no from 'buying their tickets.' (i.e. pirating)
And people stay with them.... why?
I mean, isnt it time to get a new provider? If everyone left, then maybe they'd fight the fight again...
I seem to remember Verizon refusing to turn over the subscriber names to the RIAA and fighting a court battle for their privacy. Only after losing that fight and being ordered by the courts to turn over the information did they finally consent. And even then they waited until the imposed deadline. Now you are advocating that everyone leave a provider that resisted and fought the RIAA? Just because they ultimately lost in court? Good luck finding many with the balls to challenge the RIAA. I've never used Verizon for any service, but I'd hardly fault them for this.
Actually, it's the "artists" who are some of the hardest workers in the buisness. They're either in the studio recording, out touring to support their album, doing promotional work, or hundreds of other things that they have to do to sell enough albums so they don't get dropped by their record label. Now, of course, I'm not talking about your Aerosmith/Britney Spears/Metallica super acts that pretty much can do what they want. I'm talking about bands that aren't superstars and still have to actually tour and promote most of the year. Those guys deserve to get paid, they work their asses off for it.
a jury could reasonably conclude that the log showing you downloaded a 10,303,334mb file named "Metallica_Enter_Sandman.mp3" on such and such day is evidence that you downloaded a copyrighted song.
I find it inconceivable that the name of a file in a log is sufficient proof of criminal conduct. If I rename workout_log.xls to bush_assassination_plan.doc am I guilty of a criminal conspiracy to kill the President? No, of course not. If there is sufficient evidence of illegal activity a search warrant would be required to look at the actual content of a file. But, you're right about one point. These days a jury could conclude almost anything despite the evidence or the facts.
I totally agree with you that they can't take everyone to court and that others will continue mooching files. However, I also look at it your post and wonder if your thinking would be adjusted if they smacked you with a gajillion dollar lawsuit; that's my issue with people taking an apathetic stance on these things.
"I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
-Hoban Washburn
If Windows is so crappy, why do people keep using it? Same reason they listen to the crap music. It's there, it's what's pushed on them, it's what they see on MTV. It's *everything* they know. Most of us capable of finding alternatives prefer those, wether it's indie bands or Linux or whatever. The mainstream is content with what they have because it's good enough for them. Of course, "Fear is the mind killer." When I first got into Linux, I was afraid. I had no idea what I was doing or what needed to be done. I didn't know which programs were good and which were to be avoided. The same thing happens with indie groups. People don't hear them in commercials or on music videos, and while it's not exactly the same thing, many are afriad to try new things. That, I believe, is the reason why so much RIAA music is being shared.
Apologies if I rambled.
"The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."