RIAA Offers Amnesty to File Sharers

Mister Dre writes "Apparently, the RIAA is planning to offer amnesty to file sharers who promise to delete copyrighted material from their computers. To take advantage, of course, you 'have to send a completed, notarized amnesty form to the RIAA, with a copy of a photo ID.'" Hey RIAA, how about I just stop sharing files, and we call it even? I know I own most of the CDs for the files I listen to, but I stopped buying those too so you'll know where I stand.

Comments

Re:jack valenti, call for you on line 1....

[dietz]

Jack Valenti is actually the head of the MPAA. They are in charge of suing you when you download movies or distribute open source software to play DVDs.

The RIAA, the subject of this story, is in charge of suing you when you download music or copy CDs. The head of the RIAA is Cary Sherman, after Hillary Rosen retired recently.

Re:Fair Use?

[JesterXXV]

If you're not sharing these files, then you have nothing to worry about, since they are only (as I understand it) going after those who are sharing copyrighted files. If you are, then you are offering copyrighted material up for grabs for people who may or may not own the CD.

Just because you legally own the CD's does not make sharing them legal.

Re:jack valenti, call for you on line 1....

[macdaddy357]

They are beginning to understand that their practices have made countless former customers abandon them, and have led to the creation of organizations like dontbuycds.org.

The recording industry must reform itself, or perish like the horse-and buggy industry did after the automobile was invented. If you don't like that comparison, try this one. If your head is in the basket, you were on the wrong side of the revolution. The RIAA are trying to avoid sharing the fate of Louis XVI.

South Park allusion

[yerricde]

In an episode of Comedy Central's South Park animated series, "Fuck you; that is all" was a TV network executive's response to the mob of angry parents who wanted a show pulled from the air.

Amnesty? More like a mugging

[YrWrstNtmr]

How 'bout we give you amnesty if you, collectively and individually, admit to illegal price fixing, and actually give us our money back?

Did anyone sign up for that? And actually get any money?


This is no better than a mugging.
"Gimme all your stuff, and I won't kill you (financially). Oh, and we'll be watching you. Forever."

Get caught stealing 1/2 billion dollars, and no one went to jail? And the fine is 1/3 of the take? And they want to screw us?
WTF is that about?

Guilty

[meatpopcicle]

Its like admiting your guilt. And who knows if they get a new CEO or new lawyers or profits are down or its a blue moon they might come after you. They will simply tear up their "amnesty" deal.

Its happened before!

Doh!

RIAA Can't Give You Amnesty

[Anonymous Coward]

First, the RIAA doesn't own the copyrights. The record companies and/or the artists own the copyrights. You might just as well have the ASPCA give you amnesty for copyright violations.

Second, (in the US, anyway) copyright violations are violations of a federal law. They can be prosecuted by the federal government - in theory even without the consent of the copyright holder.

Re:jack valenti, call for you on line 1....

[geekoid]

5 bucks is too thin. Contrary to popular belief, CDs do cast more then a nickle to get from production to the store shelves. however 8 bucks would be reasonable.

You're method would cost even more, because you can't mass produce individule selections. You have to burn them, which is a HELL of a lot more expensive then stamping them.