Will the New RIAA Tactic Boost P2P File Sharing?

newtley writes "The RIAA's claim that it'll stop suing people may have serious consequences... for the RIAA. When it dropped its attack on seven University of Michigan students, Recording Industry vs. The People wondered if the move was linked to three investigations, with MediaSentry as the target, before Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Growth. Now, 'LSA sophomore Erin Breisacher said she stopped downloading music illegally after hearing about the possibility of receiving a lawsuit, but now that the RIAA has stopped pursuing lawsuits she "might start downloading again,"' says the Michigan Daily, going on to quote LSA senior Chad Nihranz as saying, 'I figure, if there aren't as many lawsuits they will come out with more software to allow students to download more.'" What about some of the other potential tactics we've discussed recently, such as the UK's proposed £20 per year film and music tax or the $5 monthly fee suggested in the US? Is there anything the RIAA can do to reduce illegal file-sharing without generating massive amounts of bad publicity?

Comments

maybe Putin and Dell can figure it out!

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm sure if Putin and Dell get together they could figure out a great way to sell music in any format the customers want and at a reasonable price!

Re:maybe Putin and Dell can figure it out!

[Malevolyn]

In Soviet... Ahh, nevermind.

Sounds like a good deal

[MoonBuggy]

An annual fee of £20 is significantly less than I spend on music/DVDs as it stands, so it sounds like a pretty good deal.

I must assume that's not their intent, and that they just want to use this top up their revenues to what they think they 'should' be, but if they're going to charge me on the assumption that I'm illegally downloading copyrighted materials, the least I can do is illegally download some copyrighted materials, right?

Re:Sounds like a good deal

[tomhudson]

I don't download any music - haven't in years. Quite simply,

1. there's nothing I want to download
2. I don't have the time anyway

Now, from the blurb:

Is there anything the RIAA can do to reduce illegal file-sharing

... I think an "all britney, all the time" format would do it.

Re:I don't pirate anything

[Klaus_1250]

Then it is a win-win situation for everyone. The music and movie get their money and your get ten times the "value".