SBC Fights RIAA Over DMCA Subpoenas

NaDrew writes "SFGate.com is running an AP article about Pac Bell's Internet arm suing music industry over file-sharer IDs. 'The suit also called to question some sections of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the federal law the RIAA contends supports its latest legal actions. A spokesman for SBC said the RIAA's use of the DMCA in its legal quest for online song-sharers butts up against the privacy rights of SBC's customers. "The action taken by SBC Internet Services is intended to protect the privacy of our customers," said SBC spokesman Larry Meyer.'" So SBC, like Verizon, is concerned about the cost/hassle of complying with all the subpoenas it has been receiving.

Comments

It's all about the money.

[SharpFang]

1) Allow users to use p2p on your net.
2) Charge users for using the net.
4) More users want to access p2p stuff, pay for network
3) PROFIT !!!
4) RIAA sues users
5) Users stop using net
6) NO PROFIT!!!
7) ISPs oppose RIAA
8) RIAA stops suing users.
9) Users safely use p2p again
10) PROFIT AGAIN!!!

Yes, Long, but without the tricky "???" part.

Actual text of the subpoena:

[Pig Hogger]

No wonder they say the subpoenas are "too broad":

All your IPs are belong to us.

- RIAA

Re:Actual text of the subpoena:

[KillerHamster]

Dear RIAA,

We understand you claim ownership of all IP addresses on the Internet. As we own every operating system currently in use, we will require a fee of fifty percent of your winnings in your lawsuits for the use of our software in issuing your subpoenas.

Thank you,
SCO

Dude...

[xtermz]

...thats just way too many acronyms in a title, this early in the morning....

Who to root for?

[Anonymous Coward]

RIAA vs. SBC?

Can't we just lock them all in a big cage, toss in a lot of explosives and high-powered weaponry, and go far away for a while? Or maybe stay close enough to watch?

Maybe.

[OS24Ever]

But I remember the reason I got broadband was for the free pr0n, not the free music.

But then that was ISDN in 1996.

Strange world

[andy1307]

Never thought i would be rooting for a baby bell or IBM.

Re:[O/T] How often do you get 3 different acronyms

[nearlygod]

"Seein' as how the VP is such a VIP, shouldn't we keep the VC on the QT cause if it leaks in the VC we could end up an MIA and then we'd all be put on KP" - RW as A2C AC in GMV

Re:Hmm!~

[Anonymous Coward]

most of the artists on the search list are pure crap. Micheal Jackson wants ppl to share his songs. I mean that the only way he's going to get play anymore. plus there's like 5 Usher songs on there. Times like this I'm happy I listen to Good music.

Re:postive light?

[mopslik]

I would be so pissed if I had to pay for that employee!

You won't have to. It can be automated with the following simple program:

while (customer)
{
subpenoa(customer);
}

After all, all broadband users are obviously thieves and all P2P networks are obviously evil.

Re:Size has nothing to do with profit

[DickBreath]

Are you trying to say that size does not matter?

Misreading...

[Anonymous Coward]

The first thing I thought was, "Why would the Southern Baptists Convention even be involved here?"