MIT Releases Subpoenaed Student's Info

An anonymous reader submits: "MIT has released the name of the alleged infringer whose information was subpoenaed by the RIAA. The student's position? He was (1) not in the country at the time of the infringement, (2) he does not own a computer, and (3) he is not, and has never been, associated with the username in question (crazyface@KaZaA). MIT initially opposed the subpeona, but the RIAA refiled with the proper court."

Comments

MIT is Right on the Issue of Intellectual Property

[reporter]

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) acted appropriately. As an institution that has one of the largest and most profitable patent portfolios, MIT firmly opposes the theft of intellectual property (IP). Making illegal copies of music is clearly an act of theft that deprives both the artist and legitimate businesses of profits that they are due.

When MIT initially opposed the court subpoena requested by the lawyers of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the RIAA had not followed proper legal procedures. MIT's opposition was unrelated to whether MIT supports the theft of IP. Of course, MIT does not support such theft.

Some Americans side with the file sharers because they appear like "Robin Hoods" who steal from the rich music companies to give to the poor plain folks who must cough up $15 for a compact disc (CD) that contains only 1 desirable song. But come on, folks! Theft is theft regardless of how you color the matter.

Yes. There are nations where theft of intellectual property is rampant. Consider the rate of software piracy in China (which includes Taiwan province and Hong Kong). Its rate of theft is about 90%. Do we really want the United States of America to resemble China? Can't we in the West live by a higher and better standard than China?

... from the desk of the reporter