Safeguards For RIAA Hard Drive Inspection

NewYorkCountryLawyer writes "In SONY v. Arellanes, an RIAA case in Sherman, Texas, the Court entered a protective order (PDF) that spells out the following procedure for the RIAA's examination of the defendant's hard drive: (1) RIAA imaging specialist makes mirror image of hard drive; (2) mutually acceptable computer forensics expert makes make two verified bit images, and creates an MD5 or equivalent hash code; (3) one mirror image is held in escrow by the expert, the other given to defendant's lawyer for a 'privilege review'; (4) defendant's lawyer provides plaintiffs' lawyer with a 'privilege log' (list of privileged files); (5) after privilege questions are resolved, the escrowed image — with privileged files deleted — will be turned over to RIAA lawyers, to be held for 'lawyers' eyes only.' The order differs from the earlier order (PDF) entered in the case, in that it (a) permits the RIAA's own imaging person to make the initial mirror image and (b) spells out the details of the method for safeguarding privilege and privacy."

Comments

Re:Piracy just hurts the little guy.

[Heembo]

You feed me, you feed the Troll by proxy, Moron.

CD sales dropped about 50% first quarter 2007 vs first quarter 2006. Ok, the CD is not dead, but the mortal wound has been applied. CD will go the way of record - it's only a matter of time. Download services are catching up to quality; EMI is not quite offering CD quality downloadable music, but they are beginning their push into "quality DRM-less music" in case you have not actually read the news lately: http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2007/press18.htm
You are a fool if you think the CD is going to last much longer.