RIAA loses court battle over royalties

Jeff Hyche wrote in to point us the latest RIAA shenanigan. The record industry organization had been attempting to garner a larger amount of royalties from digital distribution - IE Internet, satellites and cable modems.

Comments

irrelevant

[xeno]

RIAA is one of those entities that is created out of nothingness to fill a perceived void, but once instantiated fights to the bitter end to preserve its lifeless hulk. Witness stock brokers and internet trading. A few steps behind are record labels and internet media (MP3 et al). A few steps further behind are realty conglomerates and online auctions. All of the former entities came into being when we as a society or community needed a buffering entity to make it easier to deal with a specific type of service, media generation, or purchase.

The difference is how the entity reacts to its changing environment. I get my stock updates from an automated web-based system, and execute trades online. My realtor (I bought another house last year) sent me digital images of houses she thought I'd like via email, and her brokerage ditched the controlling operational rules and allows its clients to browse MLS listings directly. But RIAA? RIAA has dug in its heels so hard against the changing technological environment that it has virtually guaranteed its own demise.

RIAA wants to stop the unencumbered flow of digital media by killing MP3? They might as well try to quell a revolution by driving firearms manufacturers out of business. People will fight against ethically corrupt entities even if it means taking a pitchfork against a tank. RIAA keeps fighting these little battles because it doesn't realize that it has already lost the war. And even this argument gets a little tiring, because there's no need for anyone to ever buy into RIAA's fossilized rules again. It's an entity that has only as much power as we voluntarily give it.

Listen to what you want, pay artists as directly as you can, support organizations that treat their artists well, and *poof* RIAA diappears into the grave it has already dug for itself.

Don't Buy Anything?

[dew]

I guess I should point out that you listed the firms that represent over 80% of the music sales in the US. Something that you, and many others, do not understand is that the RIAA is a separate entity from its component parts. Many members do not agree with the actions that the RIAA has taken and are generally unhappy with it. To 'boycott' their music would not accomplish anything. Instead, why not take some time to write a thoughtful letter to them and/or to the RIAA giving your thoughts in a calm and rational manner. That, IMHO, would be the best way for people to make a change in the system. (Mind you, I'm practicing what I'm preaching: I'm flying down to LA on Monday to talk with Warner.)
David E. Weekly (dew, Think)

Give 'em an inch

[Tardigrade]

Before this law passed, the RIAA couldn't get any of this money. Now they think they deserve 6.5x what the 1995 law so generously gave them? What will they be satisfied with? Do they wish to become the only organization that can sell music to the public? Do they wish for a large share of every company that deals with music?

The RIAA is trying to become a horizontally and vertically integrated company that's the only game in town. They can't do this in the marketplace, so they're trying to do it in the courts. They can't do it with present law, so they're trying to legislate and get rulings on future law. Law which helps no one but themselves, and harms many.

As a musician...

[Ellis-D]

I feel that the RIAA should be shut down. They make so much money off the artis and the artist.. Well lets see he has a sore butt.

I will not let myself join RIAA due their "stupidity". As I have mentioned before, I own my own record label and the label goes against the RIAA's beliefs. Our artists are the one's making the money, becuase we charge for the materials needed (which comes out our pocket) + $1 additional which is sent to the artist. So if we round out the prices of tapes and paper w/ print, we may score $.02 from each tape..... Not much at all, when the artist is paid $1 per tape. They are the ones that do all the work in all actuallality.
"Windows 98 Second Edition works and players better than ever." -Microsoft's Home page on Win98SE.

Let's try to think clearly here for a change.

[dbullock]

I feel that the RIAA should be shut down. They make so much money off the artis and the artist.. Well lets see he has a sore butt.

This seems to be a common train of thought with Slashdot readers, and it's one I take issue with.

Let's stop focussing on how much money anyone makes, Bill Gates, the RIAA, or whomever. It's just NOT relevant to anything. I would love for EVERYONE to make a ton of money at what they do.

I think the REAL issue we have is that the RIAA continually tries to impede on other people's rights, just like the REAL complaint we have with Microsoft/Bill Gates is the quality of the product, and industry domination that Microsoft imposes.

Linux advocates definitely have an anti-profit reputation. Let's keep our agenda's striaght and stop fixating on what other people make. It just shows jealousy, not a desire to make things better.

My $.03