RIAA: Electronic Frontier Foundation petition to US Congress

[fsbooks]

We have all heard of the recent RIAA suits against hundreds (more coming?) of people who share digital copies of music with p2p software. History repeats itself: the music of industry in the past sued the makers of player pianos and the operators of radio stations. Copyright law is not sacred, but in the US at least is what the Congress says it is. In the past Congress has had to step in and legislate laws to allow the adoption of new technology and its incorporation into society.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is coordinating a petition drive to encourage the US Congress to fix a law that criminalizes behaviour of millions of people. This has implications far beyond the ability to copy and share digital music files (which in many instances, by the way, may actually increase sales of CDs). It really concerns the nature of the Internet and society -- will we move towards a more free and open society or accept the corporate media control that has become ever more repressive during the * reign.

Please go here and join the petition.

[papou]

1. That was easy to do!

:-)

[artr2]

2. Done!

Don't let them take anymore freedoms away from us

[Terwilliger]

3. doing, done, kick, spread, heed, petition!

:bounce:

[brokensymmetry]

4. Done and kicked!

And may I suggest spreading the news via e-mail to all our friends?

[mike_c]

5. bump

:kick:

[KharmaTrain]

6. It's About Time

The RIAA is fighting a losing battle that gets worse the harder they fight. File sharing is not unlike recording a TV show on your VCR or copying an article in a Xerox machine. As long as it's for personal use, it should be protected and those who purchase the "end-user" license (that includes all copyright fees) should be able to use and share their materials in whatever manner they choose to do.

For decades the recording companies have had an absolute monopoly on the production and distribution of recorded music and have put their coporate greed above both common sense and good business practice.

These large conglomerates claim they're losing billions with the file sharing and cite falling CD sales, but they fail to mention the poor quality of their product over the past couple years (few big sellers...especially among the 25-54 demographics).

It's time we get some protection from over zealous corporates who feel they are priviliged and their profits rule above common sense and fair play.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

7. I'd be a hell of alot more sympathetic...

if the artists saw more of the change from my CD purchase that a few measly pennies. Back in the Napster heyday I heard a quote from the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl on the subject that basiclly said that he didn't give a shit that people were sharing his music because he had more cash than he'd ever need anyway.
Also, people would be more likely to buy a CD if they weren't so expensive.

[newyawker99]

8. Hi foamdad!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: