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RIAA Now Blames Journalists For Its Piracy Trouble

Posted by samzenpus on from the who's-to-blame dept.

adeelarshad82 writes "RIAA executives have written a letter to PCMag expressing 'deep disappointment' for publishing an article on Limewire Alternatives. While the article includes a disclaimer from PCMag that it does not condone the download of copyrighted or illegal material, RIAA executives believe that 'PCMag is slyly encouraging people to steal more music.' The letter goes on to ask PCMag to retract the article from their website. PCMag's Editor in Chief has responded to the letter by stating that music industry's charges remain groundless and that it reeks of desperation. He points out that PCMag covers all aspects of technology, which includes the products, services and activities that some groups and individuals might deem objectionable. He defends publishing the article by saying 'We covered these Limewire alternatives because we knew they would be of interest to our readers. We understand that some might use them to illegally download content. We cannot encourage that action, but also cannot stop it. Reporting on the existence of these services does neither.' PCMag has also refused to retract the article."

7 of 367 comments (clear)

  1. What about CD to .mp3 converters and so on? by VinylRecords · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Shouldn't the RIAA be going after them for reviewing CD burners that can burn copied files? Or for reviewing software that rips .mp3 files or .wav files from audio CDs? Shouldn't PC Mag and all other publications be restricted from writing about anything that could potentially assist in copying music?

    1. Re:What about CD to .mp3 converters and so on? by bsDaemon · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yes. They should also be prohibited from reviewing Garage Band, CakeWalk, or any other music production software. After all, if a bunch of hippies can make "demo tapes" that rival professionally produced records in production quality, then bands might just start recording their own music, releasing it directly to fans via the internet, marking it themselves via social networks, and promoting their own concerts. Then what would all of the untalented people do to get their cut? What would the radio DJs do for money without their payola? WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE PARASITES?!

  2. The RIAA is correct. by AnonymousClown · · Score: 5, Insightful
    When I read PCMag's article, I wanted to illegally download music. Then, as I was reading the other links, I got to the RIAA's letter. Now, instead of wanting to illegally download music, I want to become a douchebag that bullies average people into paying money that they don't owe.

    Speaking of which, I am hereby putting everyone on notice who has ever mod'ed me down, that they have cause me emotional distress and based upon the mathematical formulas that the RIAA uses, I will be suing you for

    One hundred billion dollars for each moderation. But, we can settle now for just $50,000.

    --
    RIP America

    July 4, 1776 - September 11, 2001

  3. Re:Be Fair by ScrewMaster · · Score: 5, Insightful

    To be fair, the summary doesn't claim that "RIAA Now Blames Journalists For Its Piracy Trouble".

    When it comes to organizations like the RIAA, fighting fair with fair just gets you burned. In this case, PC Mag is helping matters, so far as the general public is concerned, by getting a few facts out. The simple fact that the RIAA disagrees with them is sufficient indication that PC Mag is doing the right thing here. Kinda like the old saw, "When the competition threatens a lawsuit, you must be doing something right."

    Helping the RIAA, from any reasonable perspective, serves no legitimate purpose.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  4. Re:What is limewire? by ScrewMaster · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I personally would prefer we just stop using grammar. If the intention is clear then does it really matter?

    Yes, yes it does. Intent is not sufficient to assure good communication. The Devil is in the details.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  5. Re:What is limewire? by gringer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Obvious bad grammar is something that flags comments as potentially uninformative. If a person gets the "easy to fix" things wrong (e.g. you're, it's, could've), it negatively correlates with the care that person takes to make well-informed statements. If you want to keep using bad grammar, go ahead. Just realise that it will mean your posts are less likely to be read in depth by me.

    --
    Ask me about repetitive DNA
  6. Re:What is limewire? by Moochman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Actually LimeWire is great for downloading obscure individual mp3s. This is possible because of the fact that not only the file-sharing itself, but also the search, is peer-to-peer. IMHO this means it is still a better "Napster replacement" than Bittorrent, in the sense that it allows you to explore music rather than simply download it en masse.