RIAA to look for biggest traders

stop sharing mp3s, let them spend millions looking for nothing, and still not buy the RIAA "OWNED" CDS.
Lock down share files, lock down the wallet and let them see its them that needs to advance from the 50s to the 21st Century

said by kenc59:

---

one example does show contrary evidence that free downloading "hurts" CD sales.
about 2 weeks or so before it's release a copy of (do not remember exact time frame)
"The Eminem Show" was stolen from the pressing plant and distributed on file sharing networks. The Eminem "execs" could not move the release date too much and thought it was going to kill sales, it was announced that an estimated 150,000 or more "illegal" downloads were made prior to release. Once released, "The Eminem Show" went on to set new sales records for it's first week after release.
Did the booglegged release help arouse fan interest?
Did it hurt Eminem?
Did it Hurt RIAA's 95% commission on those downloads?
Were those downloads replacements for actual sales of legal CDs to fans that like his music?
Why did CD sales actually go down by nearly 10% after the death of Napster.
Why doesn't anyone confront RIAA with this and other announced examples of record breaking first week sales that were available on peer to peers.

The clues are all there if they take the time to look

---

these issues are never brought up because the people who have the brains and intelligence to talk about this are not in goverment or even in the building when the riaa goes to the goverment.

someone with the balls should use a fake share program and share 1-3 tb of fake mp3 files than sue the shit out of them for false charges.What i actualy am saying i have noticed the mutible differant fake share programs floating around a certain p2p program that makes a file look real but always says no slots avbl.What is going to difine the diferance between real and fake shares when they go after theese top 100 sharers.90% of all the people i see with massive amounts of files are faking them anyway.

they have big bucks tied up in congress and probably courts as well. this is all they need to be important in the us of a.. unless finally some one and some thing decides to stand up and change this goverments very fundamentals by pushing out the people who takes bribes and replace them with honest hard working i care about my people citizens this country will forever be in this boat and this will happen.

Press releases, threats, debates pro and con, etc, etc.

Bottom line is I haven't purchased a CD in over six months and flatly refuse to and it my reason is quite simple..the RIAA. Their tactics are despicable and continue to demonstrate that a bunch of morons are running the show over there.

The RIAA missed the boat (more like they continue to try and sink the boat) in utilizing digitized music technology to their advantage. Now they hopelessly and humorously scramble to blame the average joe for capitalizing on the same technology they failed to embrace due to outright stupidity.

Whoever comes out with a P2P application with embedded IP spoofing is gonna be a very rich man.

Then what RIAA?

Idiots I tell you...idiots.

i'd hate to sound like an a$$hole here... I run servers for a living and we host alot of indie labels streaming media. We get ton's of hits and run threw teragigs of bandwidth in a couple weeks. the bands and labels we help out love the fact that they can post a url and have thier fans download a high quality mp3 of thier music fast and easy. and often times we actually get calls from them saying thanks and some times we get tickets and stuff. the point is many of the little guys love the fact that there fans can hear their music before pressing to a cd. and the record sales show it..

many stores don't have any of the indie labels our company has for clients and i am reduced to burning cds from the server with the labels permission and throw them some money for it. would i buy the tracks on a cd... yeah prolly 1/2 of em. the other half would prolly be a little lower on my scale.

As an "average" person who listens to the radio... i find better music by popping in a cd i just burnt and listening away. let's face the facts this is a technical age of wonder and the riaa has to go with it or be left in the cold. most industries would find a product like this as a great thing because it cuts cost. what the riaa (and you probably) fear is the artists becoming a point of presence where they can push their own music and radio stations will play it.

It's the future go with it or get burried by it.

said by DOOPDOOP:

---

I personally think they will continue to get hacked.

"People who think they're being clever by hacking the RIAA site are doing nothing to support their cause."

No one said it was clever. It isnt that clever but its bloody funny

---

True true

top 100 on kazaa? that should add up to almost 15GB of stuff!

maybe it will get some of those rowdy teenagers off the street.

Artists do get the proceeds from legal methods of file sharing though, maybe that's what the poster was talking about.

Try again.

I hate the RIAA. I want them out of this world and guess what? I don't support their artists either.

I don't listen to any of their(RIAA) supporting artists. That means I was boycotting the company for couple of years now.

I am wondering if the RIAA gets too ardent in their sue rampage is some class action lawyer going to pick up on this. Look at all the money he could make if he wins, and the average Joe he is representing will be so happy to get his share of the settlement, a coupon for a free CD jewel case. look at the difference in the way a DVD is marketed. I feel I am getting my moneys worth. I can purchase some of the old movies I enjoy, Earth vis The Flying Saucers, and others of the time for about 10 bucks.
I did try downloading a couple of movies just to see how long it would take, much to long, and the quality was crappy. I did save a little money "Jackass The Movie" was one I downloaded what a piece of garbage, even by my ultra low standards. I wish I had an Ipod and an Apple Computer to go with it I think Itunes is the way to go.

Hey, it might take some time for the RIAA to actually sue and try to bring down many of those IRC servers that serves many files that are located in Mexico or somewhere else in the world that doesn't care about copyright.

If they start scanning my computer and do something nasty on my own expense(electricity), I will hunt them down and sue them so bad that the company will go bankrupt.(I don't share files that are illegal. Infact, I don't even listen to artists that support the RIAA or is part of the RIAA in someway shape or form)

I'm not buying, because what's out there is crap; hey, if my 17 year old son won't listen to it, why should I? It's enough to make me retreat to my turntable and beloved collection of LP's--my precious, LOL

I'm sure there's someone out there with a powerful and very rich retainer for a lawyer that's itching to get at the RIAA's billions.

There are people richer than corporations ya know

A lawyer would never even attempt it, its a copyright like anything else and no one can win in court by saying its ok to distribute for free.

I'm really surprised they didn't start this long ago, if you start hearing about people getting lawsuits, then it surely wouldn't be worth the risk getting caught. Copyright fines are huge, those college kids that paid 12k would have paid alot more if they had it. Its just not worth the risk.

Uh.... you do know that this has nothing to do with the format right? They can sue you no matter what format it is, the lawsuit is because you are distributing copyrighted material, the format doesn't matter.

Actually the copyright fees are huge. If you have 200k you can bet they will take it. I knew this was coming, it was just a matter of time.

Hee Hee.

Everyone stop sharing, we'll show them.

If, collectively, the RIAA had 1/10th of a brain cell for every dime they spend on retaining attorneys to send out nastygrams and otherwise irritate consumers then it MAY just occur to them that the way to get people to buy your products is not to p1ss them off in the first place.

Hey, anyone here who wants to hand over their money to company that treats you like a criminal, p1sses on your fair rights usage and otherwise slaps you around because they think they can, raise your hand.

...That's what I thought. Are you getting all this RIAA. Take some notes.

said by anonodude:

---

You're either joking or a moron.

Either way, it's sad, not funny.

---

Duhhhhhhh. He was being facetious.

so they can target specific users, which ISPs that give out user information including their traffic? anyone knows?

My age is showing here but....
For years I recorded FM music off free airwaves on to first reel-to-reel tape and then cassette tape. I have 100's of albums, 1000's of songs recorded that way. All for free. No one has ever accused me of stealing copyrighted material. All of which it was of course. I have loaned my tapes to others who have dubbed them and vice versa (sounds like file-sharing to me). Again no one ever called me a pirate.

So my question is, if music-sharing is illegal now, why wasn't it illegal then? Or was it, but no one cared because the sound quality was inferior and trading was done by hand instead of machine.

Or maybe music-sharing has never been illegal.

And the RIAA is just blowing a smoke screen over the real issue. The fact that technology has made it so much easier to share good quality music with so many more people via computer that it has hit their pocketbooks hard.

Record companies are just the middlemen anyway. Artists should market their music directly to the consumer thru the internet. The music industry is headed that direction, they know this, they're scared, it is their destiny.

Actually.. servers don't share files on irc.. it's a point-to-point client connection... probably the first occurrence of kazaa-like-file-sharing was irc.

So.. no.. I don't think they could find any justified cause for suing the server operators.

not to mention "substantial non-infringing uses"

irc is about communication first, files second (or third, or fifth or whatever)

You quote "the law" and use words like "steal" and "shoplift"; you equate this with sticking something under your shirt and walking out of a store.. but take a few things for example..

Regardless of the "law" argument, people don't get sued for millions for shoplifting.

That really doesn't matter. The overwhelming majority of public opinion does not feel the ire you do about this "theft". Ask most people, conservative to liberal, and they'll agree the RIAA is shooting from the hip, tilting at windmills, trying to put a genie back in the bottle - insert your euphemism here.

Once most people have deemed a law unjust or in need of change, it should be altered -- not clung to like a swollen teat by a select few who stand to benefit from it or a handful of holier-art-thous who get their kicks by making up for their own indiscretions by pointing out the 'deemed immorality' of others.

Downloading music is not a big deal. Well - it is for a group of people who have been stodgily behind the times and have refused to grow up and realize their product and medium is outdated and obsolete. When they could have done something about piracy, early on, they refused -- and are suffering the consequences of their ludditism.

Suing a 15 year old won't make them 'respect copyright'. It'll make the kid hate the RIAA even more, with a passion that's personal -- that will spread to his friends, and anyone who sees a multi-BILLION dollar industry going against a SINGLE KID.

They'll see it for what it is; a gang of corporations used to being able to produce a sub-par, overpriced, low-quality product that unfortunately most people link to the very core of their lives; music.. They'll see them whining, complaining, and fighting a tide that's already risen beyond their necks -- with no motivation but greed. (If the music industry was interested in 'fans' and 'music lovers', they would have been offering $0.50-$0.99 downloads years ago; AND making a profit -- which they have every right to do, if they make a good product -- additionally, crap bands like Linkin Park wouldn't be whining about the fact that nobody will download their other 14 tracks of filler when they're really only looking for their one-hit wonders. )

The RIAA will succeed at suing a few kids. File trading will be driven deeper underground, where it's harder to control. (Remember when Napster was the only game in town?? Split that snake and now it's 1000 separate demons..) People will hate the RIAA more than they already do, if possible, and the term "copyright" will be associated with oppression, not protection.

Just like the teetotallers of the early part of the century; the fire-and-brimstone preachers of prohibition; people will look back with confusion at the people who thought file trading was about "morality", and that downloading a song - an ethereal thing; intellectual 'property', if that -- to bank robbery and auto theft.

Sure, one can argue that artists deserve to make money. They do! Just as livery drivers and mechanics have always deserved to make money, but unfortunately the horse-drawn-cart manufacturers and ox-yoke sellers aren't around anymore. Them's the brakes.

I'm sure those in the severe, severe minority who are morally aghast at a 13 year old who would dare "steal" or "pirate" (Yo ho ho! Swords and rum, walk ye plank! If you use this term with a straight face you are inflammatory and stupid and there is no help for you; end it now) a Metallica song, will moan and decry the decline of civilization -- just like everyone else who has refused to acknowledge a paradigm shift. Computers, television, people in space, humans traveling at over 10 miles per hour, some guy named Edison and his "phonograph" -- we've seen it before, and we know what happened to the people who refused to accept the impact.

Too bad; most clear-headed and logical people disagree with your types, and therefore you really don't matter. Please go hold a rally to stop speeders and jaywalkers; you'll be just as successful, and be serving a much more just cause.

I've yet to hear someone rationally argue against file trading by explaining why "the law" should remain as it is, and should not be altered for the way the world has changed. If you think saying "Stealing is Stealing!" is an argument, I hope to god (Wanna argue about if he exists? Seems up your alley!) you never have to argue convincingly about anything important in your life.

In the meantime, it's over. The RIAA has taken the last step in securing their demise, by refusing to face the reality of that fifty million people, one fifth of the population of this country, have been screaming at them for almost 10 years now.. Your products and your methods suck; we found a better way; you didn't change with the times, so you're now irrelevant.

So, when you read the headlines, just feel sorry for those involved.. Speak out if you can; but don't worry - enough people will be outraged. People will still be on their BitTorrent or newsgroups or IRC or FTP servers, or handing a burned CD or DVD to a friend. Worst case scenario? The music industry caves and stops making manufactured pop? I won't be crying.

HEY!, dems is golden carrots thar dat da RIAA is danglin' from a stick right in front of da faces of hungry artists whom, by their necks, are towing the plow-ridding RIAA as it rips up the fields of Capitol Hill - planting the cry-afoul seeds of copyright infringement, illegal/legal (same thing?) file trading, P2P networks, etc., then making the seeds grow with 'fertilizer': campaign contributions accepted by those Congressmen (from the RIAA) who have tasted the RIAA's fruits and vegatables recently and found them so "deliciou$" that they decide on a "recipe" that everyone must follow. They are just deciding on how much salt it needs, and according to the chefs in Washington, it appears as though you can never have too much salt.

Eh, right now, that recipe is quite salty, but who says it can't get any saltier ? THAT's IT ! Just keep adding more salt and then NO-ONE will want to take a bite. Then, IF someone DOES take a bite, expect to see some mighty heavy convulsions.

As a matter of fact, some people at this minute are experiencing such convulsions right now, and others have yet to experience such convulsions. Others are a bit more fortunate since they have such a high salt tolerance.

The crops the RIAA has been harvesting from Capitol Hill lately are naturally salty, but not salty enough for the RIAA's tastes. The RIAA is already the horsewhipping farmer who seems to have lots and lots of fertilizer - and on its way to being Capitol Hill's Executive Chef too. Don't argue with the Chef, since it seems he's made up his mind and decided on making the recipe for THIS soup EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA salty. And it looks as if, for the umpteenth time since the shakeup of Napster, like this is going to be yet ANOTHER MIRACULOUS bumper crop year.

Music Fan's Q: Where can I download all the MP3 songs, all I want, for free like back in the good 'ole Napster days ?
Hey! What's with all the freakin' salt ?

RIAA's A: No Soup for YOU !

Please don't make "the artist" out to be a charity case. Many are, many aren't. The ones the RIAA wants us to feel sorry for, aren't.

They take the tack that we should pity these people, who make more in a day on tour than most people do all year. Sorry, no. There may be arguments that can support their cause. That's not it.

Personally, I have stopped downloading and buying. Everything coming out is utter crap. Name an artist supported by the big three labels that deserves my pity or my money, and you may have a point. "Independent" artists aside -- not like the RIAA is interested in selling those records anyways.

Anyone who gets sued by the RIAA needs to get
pictures of the RIAA attorneys. Put their pictures
on wanted for child molesting fliers.

The RIAA wants to make filesharing so risky that you
won't do it. So, make the lawsuits too unattractive to
their attorneys. Put the pictures of these attorneys
on the WWW.. in fliers, and around schools.

Start fighting back by any means available. An attorney
with a bloody nose is a wonderful thing to behold.