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How to Tell if the RIAA Wants You

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the and-the-music-never-stopped dept.

codewolf writes "Wired News has an article on how file sharers can check a new online database to see if they are wanted by the recording industry. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has created a site where users can plug in their file-sharing user names. That name is checked against the list of those subpoenas filed in the Washington, D.C. district court. The EFF also has an article on how to avoid a lawsuit from the RIAA."

4 of 468 comments (clear)

  1. Re:How safe are those not in US by mgcsinc · · Score: 4, Informative

    Just a little point of note: I live in Belgium, and I've yet to hear anything about the implications of these recent battles here, but I will note that three years ago, during the Napster era, the government here actually took matters completely into their own hands, and raided the houses of over 20 users of that software, taking custody of computers. I haven't heard any follow-up on those raids, but I'd take this lesson from them: if you live in Europe, or moreover, a country like Belgium with lax warrent and search laws, be cautious about how much your activity exposes you. And never forget, in looking at the battle between ISP's, etc. and the RIAA in the US, the level of cooperation in many of these nations between the governments and monopolies in major industries, particularly, oh, what was it? Oh yes, the Telecom/Internet industry...

  2. It's simple, really... by SIGBUS · · Score: 4, Informative

    Download and share music that can be legitimately shared. Frankly, I'm so pissed off at the media cartel that I don't want to even bother pirating their products, let alone buy them. Even commercial radio stations thoroughly suck these days.

    --
    Oh, no! You have walked into the slavering fangs of a lurking grue!
  3. Sturgeon's law by gad_zuki! · · Score: 5, Informative
    >The vast majority of independent music, games, and applications are sadly lacking in quality.

    Sturgeon's Law /prov./ "Ninety percent of everything is crap". Derived from a quote by science fiction author Theodore Sturgeon, who once said, "Sure, 90% of science fiction is crud. That's because 90% of everything is crud."


    I personally listen to almost 100% indie music and find that its harder to find good RIAA artists/songs than it is to find good indie artists. Certainly per capita the RIAA loses and badly.

    You can try this site if you're new to indie music, indie rock in particular. They also have 128kbs streaming MP3s. Or you can pay a visit to a couple of the bigger and more popular indie labels like Matador or Jade Tree.

    Yeah, its tough finding good indie music, but that's only because the RIAA and Clearchannel monopolies make it so. If you put in a little effort you might be surprised at what you find.

    I hope the indie labels exploit these damn lawsuits to increase their profile amongst music lovers.
  4. Re:Why would I want to plug in my username? by vuud · · Score: 4, Informative


    I trust your comment was in jest, if not:

    Come on, this is the EFF. You should go out and take a look at what they have done to date to protect your online rights...

    Here is what they are doing right now:
    http://www.eff.org/Legal/active_legal.html

    My suggestion for all is to follow the links on the EFF site to write to your congressperson and possibly make a donation to the EFF...

    You do get a pretty cool T-Shirt