RIAA Targets parents, Grandparents

[thayne]

Parents, roommates — even grandparents — are being targeted in the music industry's new campaign to track computer users who share songs over the Internet, bringing the threat of expensive lawsuits to more than college kids.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,92797,00.html

[Vejita-sama]

This only makes sense, never ever EVER sue poor people The real problem thou is as the article states, if someone uses your account (with or without your knowledge) you are on the hook for it.

In a way this is the worst thing the RIAA could do. Because people will just create P2P that is truely anonymous, they will jail/sue several 'common citizens', and generally piss everyone off.

Aside - the no return policy is why I stopped buying CDs a long time ago. 99% of the time you only want one song and cost wise it's not worth it. But I also bought a few 'defective' CDs and that was just 'bad luck' on my part as far as the store was concerned.

[dicktheprick]

What the RIAA fails to realize is that if they put the people who listen to music in jail, or give em big fines, they sure as Shjt aint going to buy a $16 CD. When you throw your customers in jail, there wont be anyone to buy CDs

[Vejita-sama]

Ah, but they are not going after their customers just the criminals At any rate this is pretty silly. The punishment should fit the crime and here it clearly does not. I am against stealing in general. But I would not recommend sending someone to prison and fining them $75k for stealing a can of soda.

In the case of PNP file sharing you have people breaking copyright (which should really be just a civil case) facing fines and jail time that are in excess of many violent crimes.

[dicktheprick]

20 million users cant be wrong. more people have downloaded music illiegally than voted for pres Bush. besides, most of the users are young kids. do we really want to send 12yr olds to prision with $20k fines?
furthmore, its been shown that music downloads actually boost sales of CDs.

I dont see it as stealing, more like civil disobediance. Stealing would be charging someone $17 when it only costs $1 to make.

[BobK]

Aside - the no return policy is why I stopped buying CDs a long time ago. 99% of the time you only want one song and cost wise it's not worth it. But I also bought a few 'defective' CDs and that was just 'bad luck' on my part as far as the store was concerned.

Every store I've ever seen that sells CDs will exchange a defective one. They just don't like giving refunds after you go home and copy it.

[Vejita-sama]

No it's clearly stealing and clearly illegal. I actually have no problem with the RIAA trying to stop pirates. The problem is the methods they have taken. Jail and huge fines that are not equal to the crime committed. And these heavy handed tactics will only enrage people and cause a blacklash against the RIAA.

[AndThenSome]

Pay $17? Hells no. But here's my 2cents:

I started my cd collection in 1986 and have now proudly ripped all 25gigs to my HD for easy access. I have paid for each and every one of my cds and I do not do any downloading. I disagree with the penalties they are throwing at these people.

My response? Forget it - I'm not supporting this. I will no longer buy new cds and focus on finding used cds when I have a hole in my collection. I can quit buying CDs altogether and still have enough music to play for months without repeating a single track.

[painkiller]

I believe AndThenSome has actually hit on exactly what the real problem is.

I am exactly the same way.

Most of us have hit "saturation" - and it is likely that a good percentage of the buying public would now rather spend their money on video discs as well as the next generation of audio (SACD and DVD-Audio, etc.).

Why buy CDs when these other things fit our next level of entertainment?

Especially when the price difference isn't all that different in most cases?

The RIAA is simply running out of time, and trying to milk their customer base for whatever they can squeeze out before there is no more.

Viva La HDTV and SACD! Next gen, here I come!

[andkiich]

I dont see it as stealing, more like civil disobediance. Stealing would be charging someone $17 when it only costs $1 to make.

No, that's not stealing, that's called the free market. You can charge whatever you like for a product, and it's up to the public to not buy at an exorbetent price, if they feel it is out of line. Then, the companies will either lower their prices or go out of business due to lack of sales. That's a bit extreme, but I think that it better illustrates the point.


Now, onto a different subject.

With the exception of a few bands, I think that the quality of music has gone down hill from the early 90's until now. I've stopped buying CD's because I got tired of spending $15 on up getting one song that I like and a bunch of filler for the rest of the CD. i've a rule for myself now, and that is, the only way that I buy an album is if there are at least 3 songs on it that I like. How do I find out if there are 3 songs? Many local stores have the listening booths setup to listen to new releases, or I go to the library, which normally gets the new releases in circulation a month after release.
In short, the record industry is not losing sales because of piracy, their losing sales because they sign one-hit wonder bands and people are tired of getting ripped.

[MOVIEGEEK]

andkiich wrote:"No, that's not stealing, that's called the free market. You can charge whatever you like for a product, and it's up to the public to not buy at an exorbetent price, if they feel it is out of line"

Not if they are guilty of price fixing(setting minimum price) and the music industry has settled the case.
http://www.musiccdsettlement.com/english/default.htm

You can search Google for more info.Search under "price fixing,music CD"

[Faustus]

Actually I'm pretty sure that pricefixing case was settled, sad part is that CD prices are still insane. I just paid $17.90ish for a CD at Best Buy this week. What a rip off, I could have gotten a movie for that price.

[mysticgohan17]

kobe should go to jail before any pirate. even the hulk guy. (who in fact didnt make a dollar from the pirating of the movie)

[OneCardShort]

kobe should go to jail before any pirate

I just have to completely disagree, as far as I can see this woman is using Kobe to get her 15 minutes and make some money while she can. It is a type of extortion. People that attempt this kind of thing with celebrities should be scrutinized up and down by the public and law enforcement before they even name the celebrity involved.

[dun4cheap]

I am going back to recording music off the radio, hehe. Maybe I will even get a tape deck again. Can I burn to Vinyl? Well atleast I can burn it to my HD or CD. I have never used the p2p programs, but I have found many of my clients whom have and I have warned them of the potential problems. I imagine we will see new laws and many changes in the next year and a half.

Johny who is downloading music videos, mp3s and movies in his bedroom while mom and dad are enjoying watching one of the movies Johny downloaded the other day in the living room is becoming an American pastime. Eventually the interent will be taxxed, movies will be legal to d/l from the internet and watch, and the same with music. I imagine the tax will pay some sort of usage fee, which maybe a good way to go, but not by tax, but by subscription.

We will always see groups and people challenging this or trying make it free, but this was not a problem until Johny(ordinary kid) who is not your local techie nerd was able to get online and d/l easily... Napster baby.

[thayne]

kobe should go to jail before any pirate

I just have to completely disagree, as far as I can see this woman is using Kobe to get her 15 minutes and make some money while she can. It is a type of extortion. People that attempt this kind of thing with celebrities should be scrutinized up and down by the public and law enforcement before they even name the celebrity involved.

I suppose her injuries are self inflicted? What about the people in the surrounding rooms who called the front desk to complain about the sound?

[OneCardShort]

The sounds were probably them going at it, and for the wounds I would say she probably did self inflict to make her case look more likely. She is a whacked chick, has a history of stalking, and should have been laughed out of the police station when she made the accusation. They had meaningless sex and Kobe said see ya later, then she felt like the tramp she is and wanted to get back at Kobe. Kobe is completely innocent of rape, but adultery not quite but then again adultery is no crime. It's so obvious this girl is lying about rape I can't believe anyone would entertain her.

[dicktheprick]

since were off topic, here is the pic of the girl, the one on the left

[dicktheprick]

dang it didnt work

[MOVIEGEEK]

I realize this thread has gone off topic but I had to comment on Kobe Bryant.He is on top of world with his multimillion dollar salary, endorsements and not to mention his pretty young wife.Why have sex with this woman and blow it all?As jeex says"got some time on your hands?...masturbate".


BTW..the one on the right is hotter.

[OneCardShort]

both

[thayne]

The sounds were probably them going at it, and for the wounds I would say she probably did self inflict to make her case look more likely. She is a whacked chick, has a history of stalking, and should have been laughed out of the police station when she made the accusation. They had meaningless sex and Kobe said see ya later, then she felt like the tramp she is and wanted to get back at Kobe. Kobe is completely innocent of rape, but adultery not quite but then again adultery is no crime. It's so obvious this girl is lying about rape I can't believe anyone would entertain her.

She's wacked out and has a history huh? You know her???? How well? How long have you known her?

He's completely innocent huh? How do you know? Were you there????

They have already come out on the news and said most of the crap people are saying about her is total BS, and that picture isn't her either. See for yourself. http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A42829-2003Jul24?language=printer

[cplevel42]

THE RIAA IS FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE! Just wait and see. I know of a group that is working on nameless and IPless P2P right now. It's only a matter of time.

The American public is sick and tired of being ripped off by the music industry. I choose to support smaller independant labels in the genres of jazz and electronic where the underground is cutting out the middle man and the greedy executives. Ha, ha!

Yes, you are right. That is NOT her real picture. The poor girl in the pic has been falsly I.D.ed. I feel bad for her.

[lordsmurf]

Two things on Kobe:
1. That picture is of some young chick in front of a high school, not the girl from what I've read or heard on the radio.
2. You should REALLY, REALLY listin to Tom Leykis on the radio. Read the article from CNN. His show is in 60 markets.

Things on RIAA:
1. They can arrest the 18+ y/o college "kids" all they want, but the parents are not responsible for their actions. I don't see how RIAA can rightfully sue me or my parents/grandparents if my much-younger brother (still in college, uses Kazaa) were to download and get caught. We barely talk as it is. His screw-ups are not mine. This is the USA, not communist Russia or the mob. You don't knock off the whole family when one dipstick messes up (unless it's a minor, then the guardian gets to eat it too).

[lacywest]

I live 40 miles from Fresno ... I go to Fresno City college ...

Update ... July 27th The article below was the talk of the town [Hanford] last week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But back in April 2003 my female roaddog ... started using Comcast Internet to connect to the Internet ... within the 90 day period of deciding whether she liked using a cable modem instead of DSL [thru PacBell] ... she received a nasty letter from Comcast ... sending/receiving Copyrighted games ... thru Kazaa. She is back to using PacBell DSL ... LOL.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was on the front page of the Fresno Bee.

Could file-sharing cost Fresno man $45 million?

By Mike Osegueda
The Fresno Bee
(Published Friday, July 25, 2003, 6:21 AM)



Sitting in his recliner, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and sandals with his feet up at his northeast Fresno home Thursday, Bob Barnes didn't seem like a man who could be facing up to $45 million in penalties for downloading music.
Barnes, 50, learned this week that he had been named in a subpoena and could face copyright infringement charges as part of the ongoing tug of war between music downloaders and the recording industry.

The Recording Industry Association of America, which represents the major record labels, has begun a campaign to deter music swappers, this time aimed at individuals rather than the peer-to-peer networks that permit file sharing.

"They want to put an end to it," he said. "So they're using scare tactics. Shock and awe."

Barnes said he had about 300 files on his computer. The maximum fine for copyright infringement is $150,000 per item. The minimum is $750 per item.

He said he used the peer-to-peer network Kazaa to download a few songs about a month ago. Before that, he said, he had not downloaded music in about a year. Most recently, he said his 14-year-old grandson used his computer to download music and videos during a visit in late June.

The majority of what is on his computer, Barnes said, is from when he used to use the now-defunct Napster to download music.

Much of what he downloaded was older music -- songs that he already owned on different formats.

"Most the stuff I got on there is stuff I bought before, from the days of 45s and 33s," Barnes said. "How many times do I gotta buy the same music?"

Downloading was his alternative to going into a record store and plopping down money for the one song he wanted.

"Copyrighted artists are entitled to be paid for their music, but [the record industry] needs to get into the 21st century. Twenty dollars for one song -- that's insane," he said.

Barnes has yet to receive a subpoena or be contacted by the recording industry. He found out about his case when an Associated Press reporter based in Washington, D.C., found Barnes' name on a list of music downloaders who were issued federal subpoenas and called him.

Barnes talked to the reporter Monday night. By Thursday, local media as well as television crews from Sacramento were trying to talk to Barnes.

"This is all out of the blue," he said. "I haven't heard nothing from Comcast [his Internet provider]. Nothing from the RIAA. Just the media. I feel safer in the ocean with the sharks."

The Associated Press reported the music industry's earliest subpoenas include grandparents, such as Barnes, a 67-year-old man in Dana Point and a 22-year-old college student in Charleston, W.Va.

The recording industry association expects lawsuits to commence in late August or early September.

On June 25, the Washington, D.C.-based association warned that it would begin collecting information on individuals who were sharing "substantial amounts of copyrighted material over peer-to-peer networks."

"It's hard to see it being worth [the record industry's] effort, except for trying to make an example out of some people," said Richard Ryan, a Fresno copyright lawyer. "Usually things like this, against individuals, are settled for basically injunctions or small fees. That may not be true here. It may depend on the extent to which the person being accused is involved.

"I'm sure there's a whole lot of people in [Barnes'] situation. I don't know why they choose one person over another."

Word about the recording industry's reach entering Fresno didn't worry one music buyer.

Jesse Silva, 26, strolled the aisles of Tower Records on Thursday. He said he stopped downloading music a couple of years ago -- not out of fear, but because it took too long.

Even if he were still a downloader, Silva said, he wouldn't fret.

"They can't catch me," he said.

Barnes didn't expect to be caught, either.

Now, he's ready to take on the role of a crusader for downloaders.

"Maybe if I shut my mouth and said, 'No comment,' it will go away. But I think people need to stand up," said Barnes, who has been driving buses for Fresno Area Express for 26 years. "I have strong feelings, and it needs to be said. I think the law that's written is bad.

"Right now, I'm not mad," Barnes said with a chuckle. "When they start taking money, then I'll be mad."

The reporter can be reached at mosegueda@fresnobee.com or 441-6479.

[thayne]

I live in Fresno

[mysticgohan17]

They cant catch me

This is Katie Couric reporting live from Chino you're watching Today, on NBC.
i live by near fresno.

[marvel2020]

Dam the RIAA is mad, do they actually think that people are gonna pay the fine's.

Me thinks not, especialy when it involve's million's of dollor's.

I stop downloading music/mp3's when Napster shutdown.

And i've olny used Winmx to download 10 song's recently and most of them i have on Vinyl.

Anyway the RIAA doesn't apply to me here in the UK( i think), we have have our own Bastards to worry about.

Like most of the music that is released today is pure and utter Rubbish, is it any wonder CD sales are so low when the crap that is released is not worth buying.

[dafoe]

kobe should go to jail before any pirate

I just have to completely disagree, as far as I can see this woman is using Kobe to get her 15 minutes and make some money while she can. It is a type of extortion. People that attempt this kind of thing with celebrities should be scrutinized up and down by the public and law enforcement before they even name the celebrity involved.

`

First Kobe denied having slept with this woman. Then he admitted to sleeping with her but claimed it was consensual.

At the very least, he's a liar that cheated on his wife. That certainly doesn't mean that he raped this woman. But, if he lied before, how can you be so positive that he's not lying now?

Futhermore, I find it difficult to beleive that this woman would bring this sort allegation forward in the pursuit of money or fame.

Unless there is some physical evidence, this is basically her word against him and his sleazy high priced Johnny Cochran type lawyers. In that case she has little to no chance of winning a civil case.

If she were after money she could have blackmailed him.

Fame? There are certainly a ton of mental cases aka actors/models etc running around in Hollywood who love fame. But for most of us who had normal fulfilling childhoods, we would prefer to walk down the street without complete strangers harassing us.

I don't know one way or another. I actually believed Kobe until I found out tjhat he lied about having sex with the woman. Now, I'm not so sure

[spiderman2k1]

I do not download music or buy it. I did buy alot when I was teenager. But the RIAA is stupit there are new P2P software coming out that you can not be tracked. Second and one with a capture card can get al the free music you want. Just recond MTV music video's edit them then take DVD2AVI take out the wave file then burn them free music or get a FM card like Hauppauge WinTV PVR-250 record your music from the radio. This way its free and your not breaking the law. People just do not think and there no way they can track what your capturing with your ATI AIW or Dazzle 2 or Hauppauge WinTV PVR-250 lol