admin
08-01-2003, 03:02 PM
The RIAA: A Watchdog That Bites
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has issued about 900 subpoenas to people suspected of "swapping" or "sharing" music over the internet. About 75 more subpoenas are being issued each day. To RIAA the issue is simple, the people in question aren't "sharing" music, they're stealing it and the organization is protecting its members intellectual property. The President of RIAA stated that, "any individual computer user who continues to offer music illegally to millions of others will run the very real risk of facing legal action in the form of civil lawsuits that will cost violators thousands of dollars and potentially subject them to criminal prosecution." However, an attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) opines that the lawsuits won't reduce file swapping and will lead to the development of "file-trading technology that will make it even harder to track swappers." The EFF attorney also notes that, "It really is unprecedented to sue your best customers." RIAA clearly has the law on their side. Whether RIAA's business strategy matches their legal acumen remains to be seen.
Click to read the WTNH News Channel 8 story (http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=1376396&nav=3YeXH7E1)
Click to read the CNET story (http://news.com.com/2100-1027_3-1020876.html)
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has issued about 900 subpoenas to people suspected of "swapping" or "sharing" music over the internet. About 75 more subpoenas are being issued each day. To RIAA the issue is simple, the people in question aren't "sharing" music, they're stealing it and the organization is protecting its members intellectual property. The President of RIAA stated that, "any individual computer user who continues to offer music illegally to millions of others will run the very real risk of facing legal action in the form of civil lawsuits that will cost violators thousands of dollars and potentially subject them to criminal prosecution." However, an attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) opines that the lawsuits won't reduce file swapping and will lead to the development of "file-trading technology that will make it even harder to track swappers." The EFF attorney also notes that, "It really is unprecedented to sue your best customers." RIAA clearly has the law on their side. Whether RIAA's business strategy matches their legal acumen remains to be seen.
Click to read the WTNH News Channel 8 story (http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=1376396&nav=3YeXH7E1)
Click to read the CNET story (http://news.com.com/2100-1027_3-1020876.html)