Topic awaiting preservation: RIAA Sues People WITHOUT Computers

Yahoo! News: Music Industry Targets Even Computer-Less

WTF is wrong with the RIAA!!

Wrong? I'm not sure anything is wrong ...

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Brenot and her husband said their son-in-law briefly added Internet service to their own cable television account while living with the couple because Comcast Cable Communications Inc. said it would add a surcharge to send separate bills to the same mailing address.

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How could the RIAA possibly know that those who owned the cable account weren't the ones who were physically using the computer connected to their cable line?

In fact, I'm not even sure they aren't in some way legally responsible, though I'm sure that will be determined.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't they issue the subpoena for the IP addresses? Why would they prosecute the people who paid for it and supposedly didn't touch it or know how to use it? If their son-in-law used it then why don't they try to find his current address?

[This message has been edited by Rauthrin (edited 12-06-2003).]

As far as I know, you can't subpeona an IP address to appear in court.

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If their son-in-law used it then why don't they try to find his current address?

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Because that would entail some common sense, something that is quite rare nowadays in the US. A 79yo man is not going to be downloading Vanilla Ice, U2, Creed, Linkin Park and Guns N' Roses. The thought of that is laughable.

You can't hold somebody accountable for a technology they don't understand. Common sense. To me, this just makes the RIAA seem like bigger idiots, and ultimately alienates more consumers. Go after as many people as you want, they can't stop it. MP3s have been around for almost a decade now, if they would have been on top of this in the beginning they probably could have avoided the whole mess.

For years the RIAA has been ripping off both consumers and artists, and I personally think it is time for change. I don't advocate theft, but the RIAA is going to have to face the facts that this technology is not going away and they're going to have to deal with it. They pulled the same shit with audiotapes. They need to stop alienating the consumer, and start thinking of ways to get consumers on their side.

It is quite hard to compete with free, but they need to find a way to do it or face extinction.

As far as theft hurting the artists, only the ones who don't tour. And the ones who don't tour aren't doing their jobs. Most artists recieve a measly percentage of CD sales, and the best way for them to make money is through touring. It is also the best way to increase your fan base. Look at the following for bands that tour all the time as compared to those that don't. Bands that are in it for the artistry and fans will always be taken care of, regardless of the fate of the RIAA.

My opinion of the whole thing can be summed up nicely by this cartoon. (questionable material warning)

hmm... another topic in which to post this:

The Economy of Idea

It was written by John Perry Barlow, who was lead songwriter for the Grateful Dead.. One of the ideas he presents is, just that- the Performance *is* the product... and economies that base upon the containment of ideas will no longer prevail as the world evolves..

I feel bad for those that will lose their jobs in the coming evolutionary shift. However, they remind me of those who once worked in the trade of large chunks of ice for the pre-refrigerator world.

One day, thru the advancement of the world, they became obsolete. It's sad, but are we to hold back planetary progress for the comfort of the few?


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[This message has been edited by Petskull (edited 12-09-2003).]