RIAA To Sue Individual's for File Sharing (This could mean you!!!!)

Miami Herald ^ | 06/25/2003 | Ted Bridis

[John Lenin]

And if everybody is a criminal, who is going to respect the law ?

[Jhoffa_]

And if everybody is a criminal, who is going to respect the law ?

That's going to be in your closing arguments, I presume?

[Calpernia]

Why is this so different than recording music from the radio also?

[Calpernia]

Ok, I'll direct that question to directly :)

Why is this different than recording a song from the radio?

[Jhoffa_]

Maybe because they're locked out of most distribution channels without them.

Why the hell should I care?

Look, I'm "locked out" of allot of business opportunities without some kind of networking.. Doesn't give me or anyone else a right to steal.

[Kevin Curry]

I can hear it now: "End the WOD (war on downloads) now!"

[Jhoffa_]

Why is this different than recording a song from the radio?

I don't know about copying songs from the radio.. But the US code says downloading is illegal.

That's all you need to know.

Anything beyond that can be addressed to the court, from the sound of it.

[dagoofyfoot]

No one here intends to rip off printed media


I don't get it. Why are you posting this to me. I don't know anything about copyright laws...I'm outta here.


This whole thing is turning into a bunch of nonsense for a guy who only has about 20 to 30 music files.


How much could they actually sue me for in damages?...not much

[motexva]

I guess I will have to look up the relevent case law, because it's clear to me that you are the one who is completely unfamiliar with it. Because no one seriously argues that making one copy for personal use, or even making a copy for a friend (as long as no money changes hands) is an an actionable copyright infringement! If you distributed hundreds, sure, you might have a case, and I think RIAA has a case against the p2p-ers. These standards are well-established, for all media, from print to video to audio!

Is it illegal to tape a show with your VCR?

Is it illegal to post an article on FR?

Is it illegal to make a copy of a song or songs from a CD for friend, or to listen to in your tape stereo in your car?

No wizzler, it's not! Your absolutist position, shared by RIAA, has no basis in the case law that governs copyright in this country!

Like I said - they have a case against the p2p sharers, at least as near as I can tell they do. But your assertions are wrong, and you are apparently incapable of citing the relevent case law. But let me tell you wizzler, no matter your armchair opinion, the lawyers arguing both sides of this case are going to cite that law, and the judge is going to look to it for guidance. I suspect RIAA's absolutist position will carry little weight with them as they seek to navigate a new course through it. RIAA may win against the most abusive file sharers, but this claptrap you're trying to argue here has absolutely no basis in copyright law!

[Golden Eagle]

How much "copyrighted" Material is cut and reposted on FR? I think the courts need to weigh "intent". No one here intends to rip off printed media.

Before even the courts weigh intent, first the companies will. In 99% of the cases (obvious estimate) of material being posted on FR, no claim is made. In the few cases of when that happens, such as the liberal leaning websites including washpost.com whose goal is contrary to FR, a claim may be made.

At which point FR notifies it's user base who become aware of the issue and refuse to knowingly infringe. Clearly (despite my own personal wishes of the issue even existing) this responsibility resides with FR, which they do a great job of, God Bless their souls.

Point is, the problem corrected itself, even when two entities at opposite ends of the political perspective are involved. Could copyright claims increase to the point where FR incurs further claim damages? Possibly, but IMO that ratio is directly related to the quantity of infringement being perpetrated on the internet at large. Theft of music files increases that ratio.

[Jhoffa_]

I can hear it now: "End the WOD (war on downloads) now!"

You know, I hear downloaded music can cure all kinds of things. Maybe we need a medical exemption...

[Calpernia]

I believe that is what Linux is for :)

[wizzler]

Are you asking why is "file-sharing" is different from recording a song off the radio?

If that's what you're asking, the answer is that it's not. Both are infringements of copyright.

As has been explained already in this thread, one is more apt than the other to be pursued vigilantly by copyright holders, because there's a massive difference of degree and damage.

[mylife]

I posted that as a thought for eveyone. sorry

[Calpernia]

So, explain that well said concept with a song(s) that are played on the radio....you make cassettes of and distribute to friends, family, et al.

[Old Professer]

What does MP3 mean?

[Calpernia]

Yes, this can be done, with a few more steps. Keep the music on a lan access cpu. 'Requests' are sent in, then the music is put in an accessable download as per the request.

[Old Professer]

How droll.