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The RIAA's Hit List Named

Carpoolio writes "TechTV is the first I've seen to name names in the fight between the RIAA and music downloaders. Using an online court records search service, they've found a number of the subpoenas served by the RIAA to ISPs, which will ultimately end in lawsuits for the people named on this list. Right now, they've published a number of the P2P user names filed with the US District Court in Washington, DC, mainly Kazaa users. Are you on the list?"

96 of 1,008 comments (clear)

  1. phew. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    kazaaliteuser@Kazaa isn't on there! I was really worried for a second.

    kazaaliteuser@Kazaa vs. RIAA

    RIAA: Please disclose any and all information about kazaaliteuser@Kazaa to us!

    Comcast: Um, we're @comcast.net and @attbi.com, sorry.

    RIAA: YOU'RE ALL AGAINST US!

    1. Re:phew. by zaffir · · Score: 5, Informative

      For those that don't know, variations on that name are the default usernames in Kazaa Lite. Let's see the RIAA sue them all...

      --
      "Upon attaching the waterblock to my penis, I began to notice that I know nothing about computers." -- JRockway
  2. Oh man! by Jacer · · Score: 3, Funny

    My name is up there! I'm screwed...

    --
    --fetch daddy's blue fright wig, i must be handsome when i release my rage
  3. What about people who don't live in the US? by Omicron32 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I live in the UK, can these lawsuits be filed over here from the RIAA?

    1. Re:What about people who don't live in the US? by Karl+Cocknozzle · · Score: 5, Insightful
      I live in the UK, can these lawsuits be filed over here from the RIAA?

      Well... Since the last "A" in RIAA stands for America, you probably wouldn't get sued by the RIAA. But I wouldn't put it past an internationally focused recording industry group to try legal maneuvers in other countries to establish a precedent similar to the "Verizon" one here.
      --
      Who did what now?
    2. Re:What about people who don't live in the US? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      the bbc seems not to think so...

      Will I be sued for music-swapping?

    3. Re:What about people who don't live in the US? by dJCL · · Score: 4, Interesting

      The only thing is that most countries actually have something near sensible laws(ok, not close, but better then the US). You cannot get the precedent set on the case like was dont with Verizon because you would actually have to talk with a lawyer to get the going, not some random clerk that gives you a form to fill. The DMCA appears to allow them to do this. Up here in the dotCA it appears that they would have to get a search warrant from a lawyer before they could demand the info from a ISP... A little harder for them, they have to actually do some work, and the judge may tell them to mess off... I'm pretty sure it could happen in most civilized countries out there.

      --
      On Arrakis: early worm gets the bird. Magister mundi sum!
  4. Interesting that by stevezero · · Score: 5, Interesting

    They named the default username given to those who install Kazaa Lite...

    So I wonder how many people that covers?

    1. Re:Interesting that by ArsonSmith · · Score: 5, Funny

      I can see it now:

      Bailiff: would munkeyspanker21 please take the stand
      please place your right....errr uhhh....left hand here.

      hehe

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
    2. Re:Interesting that by OverlordQ · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It covers exactly 1. The Person named, so what that their name just happens to be the default one installed by K++. You think on the subpoena it says:
      "Name = www.k_lite.tk_Kazaa_Lite@Kazaa"
      or
      "Name = Mr Foo Z Barr a.k.a. www.k_lite.tk_Kazaa_Lite@Kazaa"?

      (IANAL, and I've never seen a subpoena so . . )

      --
      Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
    3. Re:Interesting that by Eminor · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It covers exactly 1. The Person named, so what that their name just happens to be the default one installed by K++. You think on the subpoena it says:
      "Name = www.k_lite.tk_Kazaa_Lite@Kazaa"
      or
      "Name = Mr Foo Z Barr a.k.a. www.k_lite.tk_Kazaa_Lite@Kazaa"?


      So the question remains, do they track sharing by username or by IP address. If they track by username and then resolve that username to an IP address and then to a person, then process is flawwed. Under this scenario, one person could be charged for the files that other people shared.

      If they did do it properly, then why are usernames even listed? Usernames are not identifiers to a user, since many users can have the same name and anyone can change their name at anytime.

    4. Re:Interesting that by GordoSlasher · · Score: 4, Funny

      They named the default username given to those who install Kazaa Lite...

      So I wonder how many people that covers?

      They track a combination of username and IP address. For the default username, the IP address they have on record is 127.0.0.1. If that's not the address of your computer, you're safe!

  5. So File Swappers *are* Terrorists by jpetts · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has now issued more than 911 subpoenas

    Reckon the RIAA's trying to make a point here?

    --
    Call me old fashioned, but I like a dump to be as memorable as it is devastating - Bender
  6. This guy... by blackmonday · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hereby give my blessing to anyone who wants to sue a guy with the balls to be known as: hottdude0587@Kazaa.

    1. Re:This guy... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I've always been tempted to call myself "Whiffles the Wonder Pig" just to see them try to keep a straight face when they say, "Joe Smith, alias Whiffles the Wonder Pig, approach the bench!"

    2. Re:This guy... by stratjakt · · Score: 5, Funny

      Whiffles the wonder pig?

      You must be just DYING to be anally raped in prison.

      --
      I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  7. hmm... by KoalaBear33 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I wonder how all this is going to play out... I'm guessing most will settle out of court like that guy they cite (who paid $12000).

    RIAA will probably make more out of lawsuit settlements than through their music ;) What's the lifetime value of a consumer to RIAA? I imagine it is less than $12000...

    KoalaBear33

    --
    ......The worst thing in my life happened when the stock market started mattering more than the economy
    1. Re:hmm... by madmancarman · · Score: 3, Interesting
      RIAA will probably make more out of lawsuit settlements than through their music ;) What's the lifetime value of a consumer to RIAA? I imagine it is less than $12000...

      Yes, but I want to know what their long-term sales (and losses) will be like when people like me, who used to buy music regularly, decide never to buy it again. For example, Jane's Addiction's new album came out yesterday and even though I have three of their previous albums (all legit), I have no intention of buying this one simply because it was put out by a member of the RIAA. It's painfully clear that music purchases support a draconian industry with utter contempt for its customers more than they feed "starving artists".

      As the RIAA starts suing individuals for even minor infractions, it won't be a stretch for them to be perceived by regular customers as 'evil', and when you attack and alienate customers, your overall business model is doomed. You can't tell me that every one of those people sharing mp3s has stopped buying music completely, and once they're sued, you know all their family & friends are going to stop buying music too.

      It's really too bad that it would be impossible to figure out how many people have stopped buying music because of the actions of the RIAA. Any poll on Slashdot would be heavily slanted. Maybe at a concert they should ask people as they're standing in line whether or not they plan on buying music in the future if the RIAA will sue them for sharing 10 mp3s over p2p.

      First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. -- Gandhi

      --
      First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. -- Gandhi
  8. True Names by PotatoMan · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It's been well established that I'm paranoid, but is anyone else bothered by the number of (apparent) True Names in the list?

    1. Re:True Names by InterruptDescriptorT · · Score: 3, Funny

      like, what was he downloading when the bombs were dropping on Iraq?

      Perhaps it was You Dropped A Bomb On Me, by the Gap Band? :-)

      --
      Karma: Excellent Birds (mostly as a result of listening to Laurie Anderson)
  9. Check out PACER!!! by Kr3m3Puff · · Score: 4, Informative

    Everyone should check out PACER. It is free to register and if fairly cheap to access, and only costs $.07 a page and you will only get billed if you access over $10 worth of information. You can get access to TONS of information about US Court cases.

    I never knew there was such easy accesible tools to information that the government owes us anyways. Takes about a week for them to e-mail you a password, and you are free to register as a individual citizen!

    --
    D.O.U.O.S.V.A.V.V.M.
  10. Always referred to as theft by McQuaid · · Score: 5, Insightful
    First line of the techtv story...
    The recording industry has launched a sweeping effort to identify and shut down individual song swappers, making good on recent threats to expand its legal battle against copyright theft.

    Why not say copyright infringement? If I go to your house and steal your cd, call the cops. If I am over at your house and copy your cd, theft has not occurred. It's copyright infringement or commonly referred to as piracy. But the media and latest barrage of commericals would have you believe it's still theft.

    I know everyone here know's this, but it's always bugged me.

    And in true ./ fashion, that's all I've read of the article.
    1. Re:Always referred to as theft by Jafafa+Hots · · Score: 5, Funny

      I guess if I'm guilty of copyright theft, that means I now hold the copyrights and THEY owe ME money??

      --
      This space available.
    2. Re:Always referred to as theft by Dyolf+Knip · · Score: 5, Informative

      Copyright theft, obviously, would be if I actually stole your copyright. By forging legal transfer documents or some such. You may not know that this is the exact stunt the RIAA tried to pull en masse a few years ago with their 'work for hire' add-on to a congressional bill. IIRC, it would have made the music produced by bands under contract with RIAA members works bought and paid for by the company. The musicians themsevles would have had nothing. That is copyright theft.

      --
      Dyolf Knip
    3. Re:Always referred to as theft by Frac · · Score: 3, Interesting

      That is copyright theft.

      Thanks for the clarification. But it still doesn't matter jack squat. When the media talks about "theft" in the context of file-sharing, everyone knows they're talking about the mass copyright-infringement of media that happens on p2p networks.

      What you're doing here is nit-picking because of sour grapes. There's no substantial damage being done to society because of these misappropriation of terms, since everyone knows they are talking about copyright infringement. And in court, the file sharers will be SUED under copyright infringement. Not theft, not copyright theft, not grand theft, but copyright infringement.

      headline - RIAA sues the Universities
      slashdot - that's bullshit, they should be suing the file-sharers! why do they keep getting it wrong? assholes!

      headline - RIAA sues the P2P software makers
      slashdot - that's bullshit, they should be suing the file-sharers! why do they keep getting it wrong? assholes!

      headline - RIAA sues the ISPs
      slashdot - that's bullshit, they should be suing the file-sharers! why do they keep getting it wrong? assholes!

      headline - RIAA sues the file-sharers
      slashdot - that's bullshit, they should uh.. uh.. uh.. stop using the term "theft"! why do they keep getting it wrong? assholes!

    4. Re:Always referred to as theft by dasmegabyte · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Of course. And it should be okay for the media to use terms like "convicted murderer OJ Simpson," it's okay because even though he wasn't convicted of murder, we all know he should have been.

      You see, that's what you're saying. That the media is allowed to lie and misuse terms if we "know what they mean." This is untrue. It's a form of the type of subtle spin and bias that big media conglomeration promises us it won't do. "Copyright theft" in this context is as much a misnomer as "Consumer Broadband Protection Act."

      Besides, it has yet to be proven that trading mp3s is truly copyright infringment, let alone theft. We're merely assuming it is, because lower courts have said so. The same lower courts that readily ignore supreme court judgments on flag burning and abortion. The supreme court, the only court that really matters in terms of what's constitutional, has yet to speak definitively on the matter. Probably because it hasn't had reason to yet...people's constitutional rights aren't really being infringed upon to the point that they had to include that in their busy schedule.

      But they will be. Probably with this case.

      You see, the RIAA would like us to believe that copyright means only they have the right to "copy." That's not what the word means -- "Copy" refers to lyrics, similar to the words "ad copy." Copyright gives a person the rights to performance and production of a song. I copyright my songs so others won't turn them into hits and not give me a cut. I copyright them so they can't be used in movies without my permission (and a cut).

      It doesn't necessarily give me a right to control home users who are putting my songs on a mix CD. And I shouldn't (and don't) care, because that doesn't infringe on my rights as a musician. And since I'm a self promoting independent artist, who needs all the exposure he can get, I appreciate this kind of publicity. Mix makers are a musician's best friend. Which is why so many labels give out their singles on mp3s for free...sub pop and coup de tat are two off the top of my head.

      The main reason the RIAA wants to abolish file trading is that it gives users a medium to learn about new artists that their members (who include the same labels involved in payola scams, price fixing and very few independent labels) can not control. Which means people will be spending their money not on RIAA albums, but on independents. Activity we've alreadt seen. And as radio becomes EVEN LESS diverse, and members scale back their releases EVEN FURTHER to please shareholders who don't like the libertine Rolling Stone idea of funding albums that might lost money, file sharing will (and has) become a primary way for people to discover new music. New music which doesn't have a big SONY label glued to the back. And that's apparently a Bad Thing. Because if artists jump to the indies, they'll be making 3, 5, even 7 dollars per album sold instead of 1 dollar kept to offset production costs and held in case of returns. They'll be impossible to control by corralling them into a culture of drugs and debt to ensure their willingness to sign shockingly one sided contracts. And then there will be no money to pay the worthless A&R men to manufacture singles!

      --
      Hey freaks: now you're ju
    5. Re:Always referred to as theft by dasmegabyte · · Score: 4, Insightful

      They are targetting file sharers that have explicitly infringed on some record companies' copyright.

      Hey, you're welcome to your opinion, no matter how wrong it is. But the fact is that the argument supporting your opinion depends on the file trading being an infringing activity, which is a legal statement that has yet to be proven.

      I mean, if you want to get REALLY technical (and by trying to make a distinction between "sharing" and "copying" when in the digital world the only difference is a change of state, you ARE trying to get technical), MP3s may fall under a different area of fair use: that protecting the right to establish works in the style of other works. A 128 kbit ogg file is not a "copy" of the copyrighted work on CD -- it's a digital interpretation of it which eliminates at least 90% of the original and bears as much resemblence to it on the data level as a cassette does to a record. The RIAA says it doesn't matter, but they're kind of an interested party, aren't they? Maybe we should let the courts decide, though that will never stop us from freely trading our opinions -- no matter how wrong they are. No, those are protected in the constitution, and are subject to fair use ;).

      --
      Hey freaks: now you're ju
  11. Frankly, I'm surprised by teamhasnoi · · Score: 3, Insightful
    at two things. First, there aren't any first and last name combos. "AngelaMikesell@..." might be one, but I see them all the time on urm...screenshots of Kazaa lite running.

    Second, where is kazaalite? There is only one entry for that, but I know there are more users of kazaalite than that...

    I guess I'm also shocked that anyone actually hasn't heard of Klite and/or isn't running it instead of Kazaa.

    hmm. Glad my name isn't on there - HillaryBlowsMonkeys@Riaa.com

  12. Now what? by tedDancin · · Score: 3, Funny

    What are we all going to do now that 100% of the people actually sharing files have been named? (:

    --

    Ladies, form queue here -->
  13. Oh no! by cliffy2000 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Joan Jett is going to jail! "joanjett@Kazaa"

  14. Re:Oh man! by jc42 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sob! I'm not there! How could they have missed me?

    Oh. All the "names" end with @Kazaa. I don't use kazaa.

    Never mind.

    --
    Those who do study history are doomed to stand helplessly by while everyone else repeats it.
  15. UserID to Person Mapping by GillBates0 · · Score: 4, Interesting
    What happens if you registered on Kazaa, logged in once, and then forgot to log off? You don't have to relogin again, if the password is "remembered". What if you logged on a public computer, used by thousands of users (in a school or library), who subsequently downloaded stuff without relogging in.

    Not that I'm on the list, but do they intend to catch the person who actually created the account, but may not have downloaded any copyrighted material, but inadvertently forgotten to log off? Failing to log off isn't a crime by itself, nor should you be responsible if your account was used for illegal activity, unknown to you.

    --
    An Indian-American Hindu committed to non-violent thought/speech/action alarmed by the global explosion of radical Islam
  16. Re:What I'd like to see by gbulmash · · Score: 5, Informative

    They don't have to track down the hundreds. They also have IP addresses and ISP identifications for all the users, according to the article. So though the Kazaa ID is generic, they have (or claim to have) specific information to identify the person using that generic ID.

  17. Let us know if you're on the list & the lowdow by felonious · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If you are on the list do everyone a favor including yourself and let us know here. Keep us up to date on what's occuring and how you intend to fight it. Maybe the community here can help or atleast offer solid advice on how to proceed.

    If I were to end up on the list I'd damn sure let everyone know and I'd fight it with everything I have.

    Remember don't fund an entity that will only sue you into financial ruin. We can hurt them where it hurts them most...in the wallet. This is the only way to make a statement. Once these lawsuits start then the shit is really going to hit the fan and the backlash will be severe.

    Think of it this way...what's more important violent crime or copyright violations? Well the RIAA is sending out so many subpoenas without judicial oversight I might add that court systems are having to redistribute their workers to cover the overwhelming workload. That means less work on violent, horrible crimes and more work on copyright infractions? This is beyond ridiculous!

    Join the boycott starting August 1-30th and do not buy any music in this period.

    Here's a list of who to boycott Boycott List

    Here's the products to boycott Products to Boycott

    --
    You aren't free to do anything, until you've lost everything.
  18. Re:Oh man! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    So are you munkeyspanker21@Kazaa or Ghettobootybabe8@Kazaa?

    (You only have yourself to blame for this).

  19. My thoughts, and a simple solution by Shack95 · · Score: 5, Informative


    1) Boycott the RIAA - Since they've cranked up their customer attacks, Ive stopped buying their product (6 months and counting).

    2) Shop via used cd's if you must. It will help show their loss in the upcomming year (used sales are Not tracked). Ebay/Amazon/Local stores/Whatever.

    Vote with your wallets people! Stop being hypocritical and buying their stuff while complaining how they stink!!

  20. Hah by Alizarin+Erythrosin · · Score: 3, Interesting

    My old apartment complex at the college (I've since graduated and last weekend moved) had a firewall that showed everybody as from the same ip address... good luck to them trying to figure out why some of their top sharers were all from whatever ip we showed as (if there were anybody from there on that list).

    I'm sure some other places are similar too. The college itself recently changed their network to do a similar thing for all their dorm connections.

    Suck on that, RIAA!

    --
    There are only 10 kinds of people in this world... those who understand binary and those who don't
  21. Is everyone on Kazaalite screwed? by TibbonZero · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Since www.k_lite.tk_Kazaa_Lite@Kazaa is listed, is anyone that used Kazaa Lite gonna get sued? Or is it the company KazaaLite that they are going after?
    I'm pretty sure that they ruled that since the filesharing services could be used for other things, they can't really go after KazaaLite... but what about the users?

    Are there (accurate) logs of everyone who has ever used KazzaLite? Should we worry?

    --
    Tibbon
    tibbon.com
  22. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 4, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  23. Highly doubtful. by HyperColor+Underware · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It is far too expensive to start going after users who are trading overseas, for one it is expensive, and for two the court systems are different.

  24. My name's not on the list by NetDanzr · · Score: 3, Funny

    Not surprising, though. After all, it's the RIAA that's suing, not the porn industry.

  25. Brilliant business plan.. by kwertii · · Score: 4, Funny
    • 1. Sue your customers, and make a bunch of penniless college kids into martyrs in the media.
    • 2.
    • 3. PROFIT!!!!
    1. Re:Brilliant business plan.. by Traa · · Score: 3, Funny

      I thought the RIAA was more like

      1. PROFIT!!!
      2.
      3. Sue your customers, and make a bunch of penniless college kids into matryrs in the media.

    2. Re:Brilliant business plan.. by Cyberllama · · Score: 3, Interesting

      More than likely, Kazaa users spend more, on the average, on cd's than non-kazaa users. Granted, there are some inviduals who'll download everything and never buy a single CD, but these are the type who wouldn't have bought the cd anyways -- they'd have just copied a friends.

      I honestly believe that the majority of file-swappers spend MORE money on cd's than they would otherwise.

      These ARE thier customers that they are suing . . .or at least most of them are.

  26. An eerie feeling� by (H)elix1 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Gah, isn't that an eerie feeling to look for your name on the list. Reminds me of the AIDS tests we were required to take while working in the infectious disease labs. I could rule out most of the normal ways a person could become HIV+ (a pretty dull life) and most of the work was pretty routine, but there always that worry in the back of your mind.

    In this case I'm not a P2P'er, but I did find one of my boxes was hacked and turned into an FTP server / port scanner the other week. With the way this week has gone so far...

  27. Re:Oh man! by BadSpellar · · Score: 5, Funny

    munkeyspanker21@Kazaa

    I'm not sure which is more disturbing: The name itself, or the fact that more than one person uses it.

  28. Jack-O says NO by Evets · · Score: 5, Interesting

    A little off topic, but on the subject of the RIAA.

    Michael Jackson has denounced the RIAA

    couple o' quotes:

    "I am speechless about the idea of putting music fans in jail for downloading music. It is wrong to download, but the answer cannot be jail,"

    "Here in America we create new opportunities out of adversity, not punitive laws ...," he said. "It is the fans that drive the success of the music business; I wish this would not be forgotten."

    It's not surprising that I actually had to do a search to find the story, although it was on the front page yesterday. It's not even on the entertainment page anymore.

  29. Re:IP's by CyberKnet · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's more akin to putting a computer with a CD burner on your front porch along with your entire cd collection and hundreds of blank cds, then going and staking signs around the neighborhood about how the computer is there and so are the blank cds, and listing which cds you have, and your phone number in case they would like to ask you if you have cd XYZ song ZYX.

    Try to claim you are innocent after doing that... because after all, you didn't explicitly say that they could.

    In that situation, you are providing the enabler to steal the content. Just like when you use a p2p app, you have to specify what content to make available, and whether you would like to make it available, and then respond to search queries.

    Hope this helps clear your mind.

    --
    Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor - Ovidius
  30. RIAA sucks dong by CanadaDave · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm not on there! My username is kazaalite@Kazaa. Haha, RIAA suckers!

  31. Legit names by mrpuffypants · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm suprised that people actually use "real" usernames for kazaa...when I use it do download my gigs of pr0n I alwsy have a username like sfg0dfgaheow4$%#$T3g35^%h45@Kazaa just because I don't need anybody wondering why "mrpuffypants" really needs that college cam video forthe nth time...

  32. Other ways they won't know by sterno · · Score: 3, Interesting

    1) You use an internet cafe or wireless hotspot that takes cash payment for the time that you use

    2) You use a free wireless access network (you know trading MP3's while at the baseball game mentioned in recent post)

    3) You use somebody else's network (An unsecured wireless network, etc)

    4) Your ISP doesn't keep good records

    I imagine most of these people can eventually be traced to a person, but I'm sure more than a few are getting away with it.

    --
    This sig has been temporarily disconnected or is no longer in service
  33. Re:Oh man! by ArsonSmith · · Score: 4, Funny

    yea and why did they skip munkeyspanker1-20 and go right to 21?

    --
    Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
  34. Re:Why not say you're behind a wireless router? by Esion+Modnar · · Score: 4, Insightful
    They'd probably argue that you're responsible for access to your router. Somebody does something naughty on it (illegal file sharing, hacking, child porn, etc.), you get the blame anyway.

    This could have a chilling effect on the public access WAPs.

    --

    They say the first thing to go is your penis. Well, it's either that or your brain. I forget which...
  35. Muahaha i thought of a wicked idea. by recondite · · Score: 3, Funny

    If everybody on kazaa used a user name like riaasucks@kazaa or riaaisacriminalorganization@kazaa or this_is_a_bullshit_court_cast@kazaa you know they wouldn't pick you. imagine the news coverge, even better the day in court. I would like to call riaaisabunchoffaggots@kazaa to the stand.

  36. in the navy ... by s20451 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Failing to log off isn't a crime by itself

    At the risk of telling boring old war stories, I attended a military college where one sad soul forgot to log his machine off. Someone found the machine and used it to send a vulgar message to the universal e-mail alias, including the commandant, director of cadets, and professors, on down to the lowliest first year. In true military fashion, they made no attempt to find the real author of the e-mail, but instead threatened to court martial the guy who left the computer logged on, for violating security rules. Eventually he avoided court martial, but was given a severe administrative punishment.

    --
    Toronto-area transit rider? Rate your ride.
  37. Reserved addresses... by stienman · · Score: 4, Funny

    "A total of 253 RIAA subpoenas were listed as of July 22 through the federal court system's paid online database, PACER."

    Subpeonas 0 and 255 are reserved for networks (whole ISPs - all your user list are belong to us) and broadcast subpeonas (first use of SPAMMED Subpeonas) respectively.

    -Adam

  38. RIAA capitalizing by targeting KazzaLite by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Although it doesn't suprise anyone, they're capitalizing on KazzaLite to drive their scare tactic machine. How many people do you think that were using KazzaLite (and stupidly using the default name) are scared shitless now? Quite a few thousand I would venture to say.

    The RIAA basically just knocked out thousands (possibly millions) of glass houses with a pebble rock.

  39. Re:Let us know if you're on the list & the low by geoff2 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If you are on the list do everyone a favor including yourself and let us know here. Keep us up to date on what's occuring and how you intend to fight it. Maybe the community here can help or atleast offer solid advice on how to proceed.

    Ummm, a quick piece of a dvice, first, for those of you whose user names are listed: Don't. Or, if you really want to, get a lawyer and ask him for advice. If this does get to trial, you don't want something that you posted to slashdot to be used against you and torpedo any of the defenses you and your lawyer develop.

    Think of it this way...what's more important violent crime or copyright violations? Well the RIAA is sending out so many subpoenas without judicial oversight I might add that court systems are having to redistribute their workers to cover the overwhelming workload. That means less work on violent, horrible crimes and more work on copyright infractions? This is beyond ridiculous!

    The effort expended by the Court in the processing and issuing of these subpoenas is probably insubstantial. The court's and judges duties are largely ministeriel. Of course, if these cases are actively prosecuted then the court's workload would of course increase. But, if my understanding of how the federal court's work is correct, the impact will only be on the civil side of things, not criminal; generally speaking, criminal cases are given priority in matters of scheduling, etc.

  40. Re:NO! by Bency-987 · · Score: 5, Funny

    My mom is going to be so mad!

  41. Re:Why don't they just put up tip jars? by Doom+Ihl'+Varia · · Score: 5, Funny

    60% That's a little low for the RIAA. Make it 117%. Actually charge the artist.

  42. Block the RIAA/MPAA yourself by OverlordQ · · Score: 4, Informative

    Download this handy list of network ranges that the MPAA/RIAA use.

    --
    Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
  43. Re:Oh man! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    munkeyspanker8 who we already know sells burned music CD's on ebay, is a leach. Leaches are OK since they're helping to kill p2p.

    munkeyspanker17, while having a large collection of kiddy porn, was not sharing any RIAA-label music. We're only after real criminals here..

    The others weren't logged on at the time. We only logged on briefly since we didn't want to draw the attention of the MPAA who will be conducting their own witchhunt next week..

  44. Actual Subpoenae at Cryptome by gui+noir · · Score: 5, Informative

    A full subpoena may be examined courtesy of Cryptome:


    http://cryptome.org/riaa-hit.htm

    Or, for the lazy:

    This is one of several hundred similar subpoenas issued by RIAA recently under the DMCA. Most have been filed in US District Court in the District of Columbia.
    US District Court in the District of Columbia

    1:03-mc-00273-UNA

    Unassigned, presiding

    Date filed: 07/02/2003 Date of last filing: 07/02/2003
    Entered 07/17/03
    LAW OFFICES
    MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP LLP
    A PARTNERSHIP INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL CORPORATIONS
    TRIDENT CENTER
    11377 WEST OLYMPIC BOULEVARD
    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90064-1683
    (310) 312-2000
    FAX: (310) 312-3100
    June 30, 2003
    Sir or Madam
    Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.
    3 Executive Campus
    Cherry Hill. NJ 08002

    Re: Notice of Copyright Infringement (17 U.S.C. 512(c)(3))

    Dear Sir or Madam:

    We are counsel to the Recording Industry Association of America, Inc. ("RIAA") and its member record companies. The RIAA is a trade association whose member companies create, manufacture, and/or distribute approximately ninety percent (90%) of all legitimate sound recordings sold and distributed in the United States. Under penalty of perjury, we submit that we are authorized to act on behalf of the R1AA and its member companies in matters involving the online infringement of their copyrighted sound recordings.

    A user, customer, or subscriber of your system or network, identified by the IP address, date, and time on the attached document, is offering tbr download over the Internet files containing copyrighted sound recordings owned by RIAA member companies. The attached document also includes a representative list of the recordings the identified user is offering for download. We have a good faith belief that such activities are not authorized by the copyright owners, their agents, or the law, and assert that the intbrmation in this Notice of Copyright Infringement is accurate, based on the data available to us.

    Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Should you have any questions, please contact me at (310) 312-3297 or at dmca@msk.com.

    [Signature]

    Yvette Molinaro
    for
    MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP LLP

    24.61.155.10 on 6/26/2003 at 11:49:00 p.m.(EDT)

    The user at the above-identified IP address, using the screen name Tyler@KaZaA, has offered for download through the online media distribution system known as KaZaA copyrighted sound recordings owned by RIAA member record companies, including the following representative recordings:

    Michelle Branch - All You Wanted
    Avril Lavigne - Complicated
    Radiohead - Just
    Incubus - Nice to Know You
    Busta Rhymes - Pass the Courvoisier
    Sheryl Crow - Soak Up The Sun
    Incubus - Stellar
    Guns N Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
    A PERFECT CIRCLE - Three Libras ...etc

  45. suddenly by hpavc · · Score: 4, Funny

    suddenly i feel so safe with 'ashcroft@kazaa'.

    --
    members are seeing something, your seeing an ad
  46. Average Age? by crass751 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If I was to guess the average age of all of the listed users, I'd have to guess around 16 or 17. They're going after people who do not have the disposable income to purchase music on the RIAA's terms. (Read: give them arm and/or leg). What they fail to see is that by suing these kids, and probably settling out of court for their life savings, (read about 500 bucks) they are going to alienate the next generation of music buyers. These kids are going to turn to indie labels who aren't going to sue them at the drop of a hat.

  47. When you all get arrested... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...will there still be Kazaa left? I still need to download a dozen of songs and a movie.

  48. But who the hell is being sued? by Angry+Pixie · · Score: 4, Interesting

    First off, the entire list of potential defendents should be public record and available for free. But that's another story...

    But who the hell is being sued? Is the RIAA suing downloaders or sharers -- or both? Is the RIAA really selectively choosing defendents based on the particular songs? If I download an MP3 of an unsigned local band or an independent whose music is not owned by the RIAA, will the RIAA sue me anyway?

    I'd like to see these details. They speak to the ultimate motive of the lawsuit, especially if it appears that the RIAA is intentionally trying to flatten the independent music scene or prevent artists from choosing production/distribution by an entity other than the RIAA and its members.

    Incidentally, Munkeyspankers 1-20 can hide out at my place until the heat blows over. #21 is SOL.

  49. Re:Oh man! by Loki_1929 · · Score: 5, Funny

    " yea and why did they skip munkeyspanker1-20 and go right to 21?"

    Because munkeyspankers 1 - 20 restricted their copyright infringement activities to pornography, obviously. Jesus, did you even look at the name?! :)

    "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you will hear testimony during this trial regarding the complete disregard for the law shown by Mr Munkeyspanker. His total disrespect for the rule of law is shown further by his attempts to hide his identity; but I assure you, this law-breaker, this ... Munkey spanker, will face justice at your hands! Ladies and gentlemen, we intend to prove hands-down, that Mr Munkeyspanker is indeed guilty of far more than self-gratification. We have substantial evidence that this spanker of monkies is in fact a serial violator, far beyond what any decent person could even imagine!"

    --
    -- "Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else."
  50. Re:Oh man! by dubious9 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Actually, I have a solution.

    Get a wireless router

    Reformat and securely erase your harddrives

    Claim that somebody taped into your wireless router and was using it routinely
    How could they prove you were lying?

    --
    Why, o why must the sky fall when I've learned to fly?
  51. Not only Kazaa by arth1 · · Score: 3, Informative

    On TechTV tonight, they showed some interesting information from the company that collects the information for the RIAA. It showed that they do not only go after Kazaa, but other networks as well, and you saw harvested IP addresses from Gnutella, eDonkey and other networks as well.

    The reason why the Kazaa users were LISTED is that you can reverse look up their "screen names" more easily, and that's more interesting to publish for TechTV than a list of IP addresses.

    Regards,
    --
    *Art

  52. I am on the list by flikx · · Score: 3, Interesting

    What am I going to do about it? Nothing. They can keep sending legal threats, but I will simply ignore them. Arrest warrents?? Pfft. Most cops will not even bother to take someone in for something so stupid. I don't have the time to download movies and music, I simply have plenty of server space and fast connections. I'm doing a public service, and a major disservice to the RIAA/MPAA by moving 100+ Gb a month. Half the stuff that moves through is junk that I would never even want to watch or listen too.

    I'm not going to go on about how unfair it all is, I don't even care. I know that what I'm doing is wrong, and I will continue to do it because I know it pisses people off. This is an ideal hobby, especially since it's lower risk, and less time-intensive than pushing dope to kids.

    And boycott . Ha! Sounds just like that stupid 'don't buy gas on April 23rd and we'll show those rich fat-cats who's in charge'. Even if such a boycott took off, the RIAA would simply absorb the loss, then attribute it to more filesharing. Way to go! That'll show 'em!

    --
    One future, two choices. Oppose them or let them destroy us.
  53. Re: well... by op51n · · Score: 3, Interesting

    All I can say is that this shit makes me feel kinda ill.

    It's just, damnit it's not right. I didn't think I could hate the RIAA any more than I did, but seeing this shit's happening just makes it all the worse.

    I swear, if I ever get signed to a label I want to make sure in my contract it says the RIAA have no rights to sue over anyone downloading my music!

    (I'd do it unsigned but I couldn't afford to get by that way, which makes me feel even better...)

  54. Theft != infringement by jabber01 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    By using the word "theft", the RIAA skews public opinion. Judges, juries and lawyers too are members of the public, and whether we want to admit it or not, despite their education and specialization, they are subject to rhetoric, marketing and propaganda.

    By accepting the word "theft", the seed of the notion that this is about tangible property, not distribution rights, is planted. Tangible property has an intrinsic value, while distribution rights over something non-tangible are more difficult to relate to, especially for non-techies.

    By calling it "theft", the RIAA avoids the whole issue of their being distributors of goods that are so easily shared as to be a commodity. By making it seem as though it were about the theft of property, the RIAA avoids justifying their role and the possible subsequent questions about the value and validity of copyright and IP laws.

    Most non-techies can not relate to digital data. The RIAA, by calling it "theft", brings to mind books. Books are copyrighted, and they cost money. When people buy a book, they "feel" that they pay for the medium. The "unauthorized reproduction" clause is there, and most people understand it because text isn't easily divorced from paper.

    Digitalization makes the separation of content from medium very possible (obviously) and this is where the confusion by the public comes in. "What do you mean I can't share this? I didn't make a physical copy. It's digital, not REAL".

    Calling it "theft" is the RIAA's way of making it feel real, but it is a misrepresentation of what it is. It's not theft, it is unauthorized reproduction and redistribution; and the ugly side of that is that people who didn't properly buy the right to access the content now do not need to give the RIAA money.

    Were the RIAA to put this whole issue in semantically correct terms, they would come across to Joe Public as running a racket, which, really, they are. Joe Public would then, at the next election, likely influence legislation in a direction unfavorable to the RIAA. So they're calling it what it's not, to stack public opinion in their favor.

    --

    The REAL jabber has the user id: 13196
    What you do today will cost you a day of your life

  55. Re:Oh man! by diersing · · Score: 5, Informative
    Here is a snipet from my ISP's email they sent today.

    Dear Insightbb.com Customer,

    There is important information that you need to know regarding the role Insight is required to play in enforcing copyrights.

    In 1998, Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) (http://www.loc.gov/copyright/legislation/dmca.pdf ), which allows copyright holders to enforce their copyrighted material by requesting that Internet service providers takedown infringing material or disclose the identity of persons that use the Internet to infringe on copyrights. Representatives of copyright owners routinely scan computers through file sharing software or websites to identify infringers of their copyrights. If Insight is notified by a copyright holder of an infringement, we may be required to notify a customer of the alleged violation and turn off the customers service if the infringement continues. We may also be required pursuant to the DMCA to disclose the infringing customers identity to the copyright holder. This is true for any Internet service provider, whether a broadband or narrowband provider.

    Copyright holders are becoming extremely aggressive in pursuing the rights afforded them under the DMCA. Many of our customers are unaware that unauthorized downloading of copyrighted music and movies over the Internet is illegal. File sharing in itself is not illegal, but downloading copyrighted material from the Internet - without proper authorization - is illegal. Such activity is also prohibited by Insights Acceptable Use Policy governing the use of your Insightbb.com High Speed Broadband service.

    We also want to caution you that file sharing can be dangerous to your computer. Many of the file-sharing programs include other "sub-programs" built into their software code. When you leave file sharing ports open to the Internet, it may allow others to access and use your computer resources to do a myriad of tasks for their own benefit. Open ports also make you a target for viruses and put your personal information at risk.

    Are others receiving these as well? I realize in matters of tracing criminal acts (such as kiddie pr0n, molesters stalking in chat rooms, etc) I would hope ISPs would release names, but in cases of music/movie piracy (and any other crime that doesn't have a *real* victim) I would hope the ISPs would push back on the P2P networks.

    Am I the only one that sees a difference between a police agency with a warrant in hand asking who's who and the damn 'copyright holder'? Shouldn't there be a burden of proof before my privacy is violated?

  56. Re:What if I do own the music I downloaded? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    But debate continues about what PC users can and can't do with digital media, prompting ongoing courtroom battles and proposed new laws. With new technologies like copy-protected PCs in the offing, even folks who happily pay for movies and music have voiced concerns that they could end up unable to rip songs to a PC or transfer them to an MP3 player.

    Some people maintain such activities fall under the copyright law's fair use clause, but Frackman believes that isn't true: "Fair use has become a real buzzword, but it's a phrase that's often misused. [It] grew up to permit people to do things like criticism or scholarship.a?| In my view, it was never intended to permit copying of copyrighted material for purposes of just making a copy or moving it to a hard drive."

    In other words, the RIAA really doesn't want anyone to copy usic, even if it's from independant artists, even if it's from old analog sources like a record, cassette, or 8-track. To the RIAA, if you want to listen to it, play it on it's original media and equipment, and your equipment and can't replace the media, if you media fails, or if you would just like to listen to it on your4 cd player, then purchase it on CD, if you can't then tough luck. In a few years, I woudn't doubt it if they go after companies Like Ahead Soft, Roxio, Goldwave, Syntrillium, etc, for writing software that allows people to copy music from any source.

  57. Not a bad idea BUT by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 4, Insightful

    These are civil suits, the burden of proof is lower. In a criminal trial, a good lawyer could probably get anoyone off based on the fact that there computer might have been hacked, ore records forged, etc. There is reasonable doubt that it was actually this person downloading (unless they catch you with the songs). However a civil suit is a much lower burden. BAsically they have to just argue their side better than yours. There may still be some doubt, but they can still win.

  58. Re:Oh man! by no+soup+for+you · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Assuming the downloader in question was only downloading a couple songs at that time they were logged, the RIAA has no proof that they have any other songs on their computer.

    The RIAA is suing file sharers. I know this doesn't get much play on the news, but it's the unauthorized distribution, i.e. sharing, that is in "violation".

    So they don't have a log of you downloading something, they have a screenshot of all the files you are letting other people download.

    --
    If you blog it...
  59. Re:Oh man! by FeloniousPunk · · Score: 4, Insightful

    When they came for the Kazaa users, I said nothing because I wasn't a Kazaa user;
    When they came for the Grokster users, I said nothing because I wasn't a Grokster user;
    When they came for the Gnutella users, I said nothing because I wasn't a Gnutella user;
    When they came for me there was no one left to speak for me.

    --
    I know this because Tyler knows this.
  60. Time for the Customary Freenet Reference :) by Famatra · · Score: 3, Interesting

    If you want to trade content anonymously then I suggest you use Freenet. It's priorities are anonymous first, and speed second ;). A link with more information is found here:

    http://freenet.sourceforge.net/

    Also you might consider donating money, so the progress is faster. They already have a full time programmer paid for by donations, but they are always in need of more:

    http://freenet.sourceforge.net/index.php?page=dona te

  61. Any good ISPs out there that destroy records? by geddes · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Does anyone know of any good ISPs that have a policy of destoying thier records of who connected with what ip daily?

    I know that many librarians, after the Patriot act was passed, started to destroy circulation records daily - it wasn't illegal for them to do it, and they felt very strongly that the government shouldn't be able to see what books people were getting. (Incidentally, this is a tragedy in some literary circles since a popular field of study in literature now is examining old library records from the 18th century onward to see which books were popular during eras past).

    These big ISPs, comcast, earthlink, etc. offer unlimited plans, and have no need to record which account is mapped to which IP for anything longer than a day (just to ensure bandwidth usage isn't being abused or something). If they were to have a policy of discarding the records every day at midnight, it would save them hassle (what a pain in the neck it must be to recieve 200 lettes from the RIAA in the morning) and protect thier user's rights. How can they go wrong?

    1. Re:Any good ISPs out there that destroy records? by stopntalk · · Score: 3, Informative

      First and foremost, those records are money to the ISP's. It's their record of usage and backs their claim for services should a subscriber dispute any charges.

      Secondly, destroying those records would be tanamount to what Enron did... they knew they were being pursued and destroyed records anyway. There are differences, to be sure, but once an entity is made aware of any kind of investigative action they are held to the position all records become part of the investigation. With the very broad press in regards to the RIAA issues, it would not be a good idea for any ISP to destroy any records. Playing pattycake with the RIAA is one thing, but having your ass hauled into Federal Court for obstruction charges is another thing altogether.

      Next point is an article stating AP had culled the supoena records and managed to ID some of the people, contacting them ahead of time to explain the situation. Apparently even the RIAA didn't know they could find user information without the assistance of the ISP.

      And having grep'd way too damned many router logs to verify connectivity and usernames, I want to know how AP did it with just the IP address and subpoena info. Any ideas?

  62. Re:Oh man! by AmigaAvenger · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Your mac address doesn't make it past the router, assuming you are running one. (most of the users probably are on cable/dsl with multiple computers behind a NAT) only the MAC of the nat box shows externally at the ISP's end.

  63. Create a P2P virus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Hey thats the ticket.

    Create a virus that goes to screwed up machines and installs P2P software.

    Then systematicaly download VALID mp3 files from the P2P network and share them with the world.

    Then the RIAA can have lots of people to mess with.

    What I dont get though..why is it illegal to share files you have on your computer? You are not doing anything illegal. Not like you are sending them to the person. Besides the person knows if they are allowed to download the songs or not!

    Just a thought.

  64. The RIAA doesn't care... by badasscat · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The RIAA doesn't care if this is bad PR, or if the media turns these guys/girls into "martyrs" or any of that. Don't you see? The RIAA exists to be the bad cop in the music industry's good cop/bad cop routine. Here you've got companies like Sony whose bread and butter is home electronics, including a sizable interest in the MP3 player market. They're also, of course, a member of the RIAA. Which face do you think they put on when they go after file traders? They'd never do that under the Sony brand name - they'll let the RIAA take the brunt of the backlash.

    10 years ago few people had even heard of the RIAA. Sometime in the last decade the industry decided to start utilizing the organization as their hired muscle; the guys they let loose to do the dirty work none of the individual companies want to be associated with. But let's not forget who the RIAA really is. It's as much Andrew Lack and Tommy Mottola as it is Hilary Rosen.

    The RIAA is sitting back and reading all this and saying "bring it on". They're happy if they get bad PR, because that's bad PR deflected away from the real names behind the RIAA.

    Of course, I'm not arguing that the RIAA's strategy is sound in the long run, I'm just saying I understand it. Many of the things they're doing will still turn people off buying CD's even without people associating those actions with Sony or BMG or EMI or Universal. What the RIAA is doing is still stupid, but it's at least a better thought-out strategy than most of us here seem to give them credit for - and our tactics in trying to belittle them in whatever small ways we do here seem to miss the point completely. The RIAA knows exactly what they're doing and the reaction they'll get to it, and they don't care.

  65. well done kazaa alternative by tozzer · · Score: 3, Interesting

    earth station 5 is a free p2p program that allows you to download files anonymusly by running through proxies (much like how you surf anonymusly over the internet). i can find most of what i need there. I think its just as good as kazaa except it lacks users (hopefully their population will grow) and they have junk built in it i dont really care much about like dating services etc. you dont have to use the extra stuff of you dont like. there is no spyware/adware. It looks like they may put 2 banners on the bottom that just have their name on it for now but id look a a couple banners for a good anonymus p2p program. -tozzer the illusionist

  66. Obligatory Simpsons quote... by Aropax20 · · Score: 3, Funny
    (Think Mr Burns vs the Germans, variations on a theme)

    KaZaA user: Oooh, the RIAA are mad at me. I'm so scared! Oooh, the RIAA! Uh oh, the RIAA are going to get me!

    RIAA: Stop it!

    KaZaA user: Don't let the RIAA come after me. Oh no, the RIAA are coming after me.

    RIAA: Please stop the 'pretending you are scared' game, please.

    KaZaA user: No! They're so big and strong!

    RIAA: Please stop pretending you are scared of us, please, now.

    KaZaA user: Oh, protect me from the RIAA! The RIAA...

    RIAA: Burns, STOP IT!

    My other sig is a porsche

  67. Re:Oh man! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Are others receiving these as well? I realize in matters of tracing criminal acts (such as kiddie pr0n, molesters stalking in chat rooms, etc) I would hope ISPs would release names, but in cases of music/movie piracy (and any other crime that doesn't have a *real* victim) I would hope the ISPs would push back on the P2P networks.

    I disagree, the more serious the alleged offense the more important due process becomes. I don't mind ticketing for parking offenses but there'd better be a proper trial in a murder case, and so on.

    If someone is being accused of owning kiddie porn then that's an extremely serious matter, the case had better stack up and all the proper steps had better be followed. I agree that's true in the cases of alleged copyright infringement too but if you have to rate it in order of importance then it's the serious charges where it's most crucial to get it right.

    Am I the only one that sees a difference between a police agency with a warrant in hand asking who's who and the damn 'copyright holder'?

    The difference is the warrant, not who the person is. I agree that proper court orders should be required in all cases.

    Shouldn't there be a burden of proof before my privacy is violated?

    Yes, there should. I'm just worried that you seem to think that that stops being an issue if they accuse you of something more serious, when the consequences are highest.

  68. Re:Oh man! by Zork+the+Almighty · · Score: 3, Informative

    Check out this site and skip down to 1993.

    1993: Playboy Enterprises Inc. v. Frena
    The Florida Northern District Court held that Frena, an electronic bulletin board operator, had violated Playboy's copyright when one of their photographs was digitized and placed on the bulletin board system by one subscriber and downloaded by another subscriber. According to the decision, "it does not matter that Defendant Frena may have been unaware of the copyright infringement. Intent to infringe is not needed to find copyright infringement. Intent or knowledge is not an element of infringement, and thus even an innocent infringer is liable for infringement; rather innocence is significant to a trial court when it fixes statutory damages, which is a remedy equitable in nature."

    --

    In Soviet America the banks rob you!
  69. striking back at the RIAA's OWNERS! by alizard · · Score: 4, Informative
    The RIAA doesn't sell records. So an anti-RIAA boycott sort of has to be directed at the major labels that tell the RIAA what to do.

    Of course the reason why the RIAA is being out front and public and is making itself hated is to take the heat off the major labels.

    A record industry music boycott sticks the heat right where it belongs.

    To destroy them, just do all your music spending on independent artists and tell everyone else you know to do the same.

    Most people don't appreciate just how fragile the position of the major labels is. They're all losing money, and so far, the music label CEOs have not only gotten away with using PIRACY!!! as an excuse with Congress, but with the multinationals that own them..

    Simply refusing to buy music plays into their hands, they'll say "People refuse to buy our products because THEY'RE ALL STEALING THEM VIA P2P AND WE NEED NEW LAWS TO PROTECT US!!!"

    Buying from independents will send exactly the right message both to Congress and to the companies that own the major labels.

    Enough of us do this and the companies that own the major labels will be forced to dump them... lest their own stock prices follow their record companies value straight into the toilet.

    Just a few percentage points of major record company sales transferred into the profit margins of independent artists and the war will be over, settled over the smoking corpses of the Big 5.

    This should only take getting 1M people on board.

    And the person who observes the RIAA boycott as I advise will get chances to find a lot of good new music of whatever kind you like that hasn't been dumbed down for the faceless masses RIAA product is aimed at.

  70. Re:Oh man! by Semi-Psychic+Nathan · · Score: 5, Interesting
    It seems that my ISP is against the RIAA's actions, and is trying to convey this fact to its users without officially taking a stance against it. This was in their newsletter:

    According to this press release from the RIAA (Recording Industry Artists of America), there will be some major crackdowns on music piracy on the Internet. The RIAA plans to launch a massive investigation on peer-to-peer networks. Peer-to-peer network is the term for the networks that power such software as BearShare, Limewire, Gnutella, Morpheous, and of course the now-defunct Napster. They will be targeting users that are sharing copyrighted files and collecting evidence. This evidence will be the basis of hundreds of lawsuits they have planned, which are scheduled to start as early as August.

    Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, The River is required to assist the RIAA, MPAA, or anyone else with copyright concerns. We can be subpoenaed for information on our customer's full names, addresses and other information, should the copyright holder prove a valid suspicion that the account in question has been distributing copyrighted materials.

    On a related note, a recent statement by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) espouses destroying computers suspected of illegal behavior remotely. You may read the AP article here.

    As always, we will do our best to protect your privacy within the constraints of the law and keep you educated on what you need to know to stay safe.

    Other Links:

    EFF's response to RIAA lawsuits
    The Slashdot discussion thread
    Artists Against the RIAA

    Interesting, huh? It sounds to me that they're basically saying "We're resisting as well as we can, but we can only do so much when the law's on their side, and in the meantime you might want to pay a bit more attention to politics 'cause there's this senator that wants to blow up your computer if anyone even suspects you're doing something that might be illegal."
    --
    I have nothing to allude to, and I am alluding to it.
  71. Re: well... by colinleroy · · Score: 3, Informative

    How is that not right? Filesharing is illegal and people have been warned.
    There are lots of laws that may seem wrong to some people - laws about haschish seem wrong to me, but I 'm willing to take the risk. If I ever get nailed by the cops about smoking outside, I certainly won't whine it's not right.
    As you say the only thing that can be done against this can be done by artists themselves. If lots of them seem to disagree with RIAA's methods they won't be able to continue as they do. Users can't.

    --
    blah
  72. Re:Oh man! by Blue+Stone · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Oh please.
    People have shared their music with their friends since the compact cassette was invented. It's a great thing to do.

    Now people are doing it on the internet: the great thing that brings people together accross the world.

    That means it's happening on a WIDER scale. That's all. It's not imoral. It's "big issue" status seems to be solely to do with it's transparancy.

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    Corporation, n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. - Ambrose Bierce
  73. Re:Oh man! by Blue+Stone · · Score: 5, Funny
    I have revised my opinion on how to defend against the RIAA when using p2p. Previously I suggested the use of user names such as "sunflowergrrrl_13@kazaa" and the like, betting that the RIAA would not be foolish enough to prosecute sweet little photogenic girls, and suffer the negative publicity.

    Since they are prosecuting the likes of "Lisweet@Kazaa" "ktgurl13@Grokster" and the like, however, (the heartless bastards) I now am of the opinion that "cuntfuckcunt@kazaa" might be the way to go.

    Lets see them file papers against that.

    --
    Corporation, n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. - Ambrose Bierce
  74. Good thinking by jcsehak · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, maybe a name like "ilickmonkeyballs@thezoo.com" is the way to go. I mean, who (exec, lawyer, or judge) wants to open up the possibility of a sound clip of them saying "I lick monkey balls at the zoo" floating around the net?

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    c-hack.com |
  75. Re:Oh man! by mustangsal66 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Sorry, I hit HTML formatting instead of text. Here's the letter in a more readable format.

    MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC.
    15503 VENTURA BOULEVARD
    ENCINO, CALIFORNIA 91436

    UNITED STATES
    Anti-Piracy Operations
    PHONE: (818) 728 - 8127
    Email: MPAA@copyright.org <mailto:MPAA@copyright.org>

    Tuesday, July 22, 2003

    Name: <removed>
    E-mail: <removed>
    ISP: <removed>

    Via Fax/Email

    RE: Unauthorized Distribution of Copyrighted Motion Pictures
    MPA Case Name: dcc://roached11(galaxynet)@<removed>/ [with IP address: <removed>]
    Reference #: 2xxxxxxx5

    Date of Infringement: 7/19/2003 3:02:06 PM GMT

    Dear <removed>:

    The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) represents the following motion picture production and distribution companies:

    Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
    Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
    Paramount Pictures Corporation
    TriStar Pictures, Inc.
    Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
    United Artists Pictures, Inc.
    United Artists Corporation
    Universal City Studios, LLLP
    Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

    We have received information that you are providing Internet access to and possibly hosting the internet site;

    dcc://roached11(galaxynet)@<removed>/

    which is offering downloads of copyrighted motion picture(s) including such title(s) as:

    28 Days Later
    Bruce Almighty
    Fast and The Furious 2, The
    Hulk, The
    Just Married
    League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The
    Spaceballs

    The distribution of unauthorized copies of copyrighted motion pictures constitutes copyright infringement under the Copyright Act, Title 17 United States Code Section 106(3). This conduct may also violate the laws of other countries, international law, and/or treaty obligations.

    We request that you immediately do the following:

    1) Disable access to this site;
    2) Remove this site from your server; and
    3) Take appropriate action against the account holder under your Abuse Policy/Terms of Service Agreement.

    By copy of this letter, the owner of the above referenced Internet site and/or email account is hereby directed to cease and desist from the conduct complained of herein.

    On behalf of the respective owners of the exclusive rights to the copyrighted material at issue in this notice, we hereby state, pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Title 17 United States Code Section 512, that the information in this notification is accurate and that we have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owners, their respective agents, or the law.

    Also pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we hereby state, under penalty of perjury, that we are authorized to act on behalf of the owners of the exclusive rights being infringed as set forth in this notification.

    Please contact us at the above listed address or by replying to this email should you have any questions. Kindly include the above noted Reference # in the subject line of all email correspondence.

    We thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Your prompt response is requested.

    Respectfully,

    Thomas Temple
    Director
    Worldwide Internet Enforcement

    --
    Why worry? Each of us is wearing an unlicensed "nucular" accelerator on his back.
    Sig changed for readability by G.W.
  76. Re:Oh man! [OT] by turg · · Score: 3, Funny

    Okay, I'm curious . . . why does it have to be a van?

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    <sig>Guvf vf abg n frperg zrffntr