RIAA Extends Legal Action

shystershep writes "An article at InfoWorld tells how the RIAA 'is filing 41 new lawsuits and sending 90 lawsuit-notification letters this week, adding to the 341 lawsuits filed and 308 notification letters sent since September. The RIAA has settled with 220 file-sharers as a result of lawsuits, lawsuit-notification letters and subpoenas. In addition, 1,054 users have submitted affidavits as part of the RIAA's amnesty program.' The RIAA also claims that its tactics are actually working -- to increase awareness and reduce online piracy."

Comments

Support musicians!

[HoserHead]

Stealing music is theft, regardless of whether it's from a major label or not. (See my sig.) Even so, it seems heavy-handed for the RIAA to sue people; they should educate people about the effects of their theft instead.

If you don't support the RIAA, don't steal more music - that's just playing into their hands. ("See, $GOVERNMENT, people are stealing more and more!") Instead, support musicians who are against the major labels - like Alexi Murdoch - and buy from places where you know the musician gets the money, like CD Baby. Support good music by voting with your dollars and the RIAA (or CRIA, or insert-local-RIA) will get the message.

Bravo

[Overly Critical Guy]

For some reason, mp3 downloading is justified around here, yet software piracy is frowned upon.

Really, it's just that people are used to the convenience of mp3s and have justified it in their minds as a culture movement against evil record companies, when really it's just people freeloading music that artists recorded to be sold for money.

But most people here aren't musicians, so they don't get it. They're programmers and admins and script kiddies. But once you start talking about warez, they'll pull the morality crown on you.