http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...toryId=17814972

this is some sleazy bullsh*t IMO

That is, of course, if the RIAA's claim about that article is false is, well, false.

I worded it that way on purpose.

Seriously, though, this is bullBlot of the highest order. That's been their position for a while, though...

Here's the issue as I see it:

Yes, the guy who wrote the column misstated the facts. The RIAA has never claimed that copying CDs onto one's computer *for personal use only* is illegal. However -- and this is the key -- they have also never claimed that consumers have the legal right to make personal-use copies of their CDs on their computer. All they will say is "it usually isn't a problem" because they want to leave the option open. Fuckers.

Just one of the many reasons that, while the RIAA may be right and downloading is stealing and blah blah blah, they will never get the support of the majority of people. They just come across as a building full of lawyers. Which isn't very PR friendly ....

well the thing is that as soon as MP3 became a viable source of income, it became a problem for people to have the option of coverting. The thing really is that it's so convenient, unlike say recording vinyl to tape. The record industry wants you to re-buy the music you already have just like many people have before, and it just isn't happening at the same pace.

Heh, look at me playing devil's advocate.

Wait...you can say "Powerglideers" and not Powerglideers? SWEET! Oh yeah, RIAA sucks monkey balls!

Wait, what the f'ck? Big Daddy you suck for showing off!

I thought the RIAA did state in so many words that "any" copying of a legally owned CD was theft. It was quoted in one of the endless articles where a one of their spokeslawyers said it (I'd dig it up if I could even hope to keep track of all the media over RIAA). Of course, since he's not a court of law, what he says is a bunch of Blot (compared to the normal amount of manure coming outta their mouths).

That's what I was referencing earlier. >.> They've said this many times already.

bollocks, it's not theft, if you bought the music you are free to do with it what you like just as long as you do not make profit from it

I don't know what the law is in the UK, but that's not the case here (and not because the RIAA would like to think so). Copyright can be infringed upon without the infringer making a penny and regardless of whether the copyright holder suffers any monetary loss. We have what's called the First Sale doctrine where you can resell the copy you bought, or do just about anything else to it (including destroy it) so long as it does not violate any of the rest of the copyright law or any other laws.

The RIAA's douchery lies in their outright statement that any copying is theft (the quote that I recall did not even qualify it as unauthorized). Seeing as they are a bunch of lawyers spewing bogus law as scare tactics though, and trying to defend and perpetuate a Blotty business model, to say nothing of grilling nobodies like single mothers, I've little sympathy for the RIAA even when people do rip them off.. and I wouldn't put much stock in anything they claim.

They haven't come out and stated that any copying of a legally owned CD onto a computer/iPod for personal use constitutes theft. What they did say is that doing so AND placing the files in a shared folder constitutes theft. So far they have refused to say whether or not consumers have the legal right to copy legally purchased CDs onto a computer/iPod for personal use only. All they will say is "it usually isn't a problem". But it is not true that they have affirmed the illegality of any copying of legally purchased CDs.

Dunno.. Thought I had read exactly that in one of the articles posted a while back. (Not that I think it really makes any major difference given the general nature of their position..)

Probably not, in the long run, since they're clearly holding on to as many legal options as they can. But the specific issue with the people who copied CDs onto their computers is that they placed the files into a shared folder that Kazaa users could upload from. And yes, that is the degree to which they're parsing things at this point. It really is ridiculous.

*continues listening to WMP*

You know, if they didn't bone people for the price of CDs maybe the labels would sell more

Example:

The new Radiohead CD, In Rainbows, came out last week. It's been available for internet download since October from Radiohead direct. You could pay any price from a penny to $20 and get the whole album. The actual in hand CD cost me $7.99.

Meanwhile, a Metallica "Master of Puppets" CD, that has been out for 20yrs now, still sells for $17.

Now tell me why people feel like the music industry is ripping them off. And they have the gall to whine about how making 'illegal' copies is hurting them?

Bastards

To quote the word of my 4y/o son... "Can I use a bad word daddy?"

I'll continue doing what I've been doing for the last 10 years... they can say whatever they want... it won't affect me in the least. In fact, it'll probably motivate me to go against the grain even more.

I hope more artists follow the example of Radiohead and just do everything on their own.

What happened to "you're allows one 'back-up' copy? If they're going to play this game then I suggest someone come up with a system where as soon as the media the music is put to becomes unplayable you can turn it in for a new one at no cost. I can't count how many CD's have gotten one small knick n them and BAM.. instant drink coaster.

CD's are probably the worse media they've come up with to date. Tapes were so much more reliable... maybe not better quality but they didn't damage nearly as easily.

Whatever though... RIAA can blow me. Until they have a jackbooted police force of their own to enforce what is otherwise trivial BS in the grand scheme of things I won't lose any sleep over anything they say.

i say kane and flog the whole lot of them

and then tar and feather them for good measure to boot

So, you wish to boil their skin?

So, you wish to boil their skin?

i just want to make them suffer
period

As scummy as these people are, that's taking it way too far. These people are not murderers, they are not rapists, they are not child molesters. They haven't ruined a significantly large portion of a population's livelyhood or future.

Indeed. They just make you pay for entertainment.

And people thought I have temper issues...