In a year end news report, the RIAA has taken the unusual step of arguing that music transferred to a personal computer is illegal, even though the copies came from legally purchased CDs. The case involves an Arizona man who stored 2000 songs on his own computer and, apparently, there was no sharing involved.
"I couldn't believe it when I read that," says Ray Beckerman, a New York lawyer who represents six clients who have been sued by the RIAA. "The basic principle in the law is that you have to distribute actual physical copies to be guilty of violating copyright. But recently, the industry has been going around saying that even a personal copy on your computer is a violation."
Up until this point, the RIAA on their own website has indicated that while this type of copying may be illegal, it "won't usually raise concerns," provided there is no file sharing. It looks as though this is a new issue to be concerned about as the RIAA continues their campaign to remind us that, when it comes to music, we own nothing.
Thanks to BigAl for letting us know about this news.
Interesting lawsuit..as an American,I can only say..if I buy it it`s mine and I`ll dang well do with it as I please...if I profit from it`s use is another matter.
I fully understand the argument about sharing,here I must admit I lean towards the industry but only to the point that their product is spreading without compensation.
If we are going to be fair that issue must be resolved. You cant infringe on someone's patent so is not basically this the same thing.The mere factor of being able to share so easily seems the problem,heck after paying for MS new toy called Zune,they even have the ability to share content wirelessly ....now I ask you who is at fault here..me and Joe blow sharing what Bill gave us the ability to do or me actually doing doing it..excuse me but no where do I remember it warned of the possible criminality of sharing the content of one player to another..
.hey Bill you`re next my friend if I go you are going with me...This message was edited at: 02-01-2008 13:31
"P.S. - Not only is the digital music industry still way overpriced but they are selling LOSSY audio files. Like a cheese sandwich without the cheese; it sucks."
And I would like to add if anyone has a decent ear for music, is that the industry sells, even on CDs, compressed music. It might be a commercial bought CD but the music sounds compressed. Some of the CDs I have heard sound worse than some good quality mp3s. It is really pathetic that they sell this crap to the public. I guess they figure most people are tone death. And, they complain about how much it takes to make a record: advertising, production, and ect. Got a question? How come movies, which cost vastly more to make and such, cost less than freaking audio CDs? CDs have been out for nearly 2 decades now and they still are high!!! Give me a freaking break already. And lastly, how about selling some decent crap recording industry. Not everyone listens to rap and American Idol wannabe trash. Don't get me wrong on rap. I use to listen to it before it got out of hand. Now it is just trash. If you crap in your hand, you can call it what you want; but the fact remains the same, it is still crap.
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