Dark Nexus Posted October 2, 2003 Report Posted October 2, 2003 Out of the 261 lawsuits filed by the RIAA (Recording Industry !@#$%^&*ociation of America) 52 have been settled. The lawsuits ranged from $1,000 to over $10,000. The “offenders†must then delete all pirated software from their computer. Earlier this month, the makers of “Kazaaâ€, Sherman Networks, sued the RIAA for using its file sharing software illegally. How very hypocritical of the RIAA to be suing users for illegaly downloading songs, while they use the exact same software to “hunt†them down. The RIAA and other supporting organizations have released versions of Kazaa and Kazaa Lite which contain warnings that downloading pirated software is illegal. Although Sherman Networks lost it’s lawsuit against the RIAA it says it plans to file more lawsuits against the RIAA for offenses such as illegal distribution of copyrighted software to invasion of privacy. Meanwhile, Kazaa Lite, is on the side of this controversial battle throwing in sucker punches towards the RIAA. It has recently released at least 3 different versions of it’s software to foreign countries, and released a version of it’s software that is capable of IP masking. This is most likely Kazaa Lites way of mocking the RIAA’s limited jurisdiction in the world. The RIAA made a small slap back by showing it’s “great power†by “allowing†users to promise they will delete all pirated software to avoid charges. This is a bold statement from a weak foe. Some peer-to-peer organizations are urging their users to counter-sue for invasion of privacy. Over 800 Kazaa and Kazaa Lite users have taken the out to avoid charges. In total the RIAA has attacked at least 350 people As the battle rages, how does the public perceive all of the actions taken? This month, the RIAA sued a 12 year old girl for a $2,000 suit. Also this month, they sued a 66 year old woman who was believed to have downloaded 2,000+ hip-hop songs illegally. The RIAA dropped the charges after they found she was using a Macintosh, which is not capable of running Kazaa or Kazaa Lite, and now charges $0.99 to download a song. It seems that the RIAA is swinging its fists and hoping to hit something. The have !@#$%^&*ured us that they will file more lawsuits next month, and it is believed that there will soon be 1,000+ lawsuits each month. Although this may seem to act as a deterrent, they have only scratched the surface of illegal file trading. The public is becoming fed up with all of the trouble they are causing, and the RIAA looks very bad in the public eye for being so reckless. "The music community's efforts have triggered a national conversation -- especially between parents and kids -- about what's legal and illegal when it comes to music on the Internet," Sherman said. "In the end it will be decided not in the courtrooms, but at kitchen tables across the country. We are heartened by the response we have seen so far." The senate is debating whether the RIAA should be allowed to keep its jurisdiction. This is indeed a change of the senates “side of the fenceâ€. Originally they supported the RIAA’s actions. The RIAA made a DMCA subpoena to Verizon ordering they hand over the names of several offenders. Verizon countered by saying that it was only illegal if the files were stored the ISP’s computers, where as most offenders store them directly on their hardrive. The Supreme Court ordered that Verizon forfeit the names of the offenders. Verizon countered again by saying they needed to protect the privacy of the offenders while they appealed the decision. The Supreme Court gave Verizon temporary immunity from the subpoena, but in June they were forced to give up the names finally which led to the RIAA filing lawsuits against all the offenders. Lawsuits have been brought up against the RIAA for invasion of privacy and violating state and federal laws. The senate seems to also be fed up with the RIAA’s recklessness. By removing their power, it will throw the RIAA back to square one where they will be forced to start all over again. The RIAA’s attempt to shut-down illegal file trading has backfired horribly. Many laugh in their faces as organizations and the government rise up against their efforts to control the music industry on the web. -Dark_Nexus
videege Posted October 2, 2003 Report Posted October 2, 2003 Ownt. Let's go mob the RIAA headquarters and show them what the computer geek is capable of!
Evil Jin Posted October 2, 2003 Report Posted October 2, 2003 ill go get usama and well all be good jk
madhaha Posted October 2, 2003 Report Posted October 2, 2003 Too early to tell. RIAA has a lot of clout behind it and support from within. Anyone heard about Earthstation 5? http://www.es5.com/ I wouldn't recommend their software but their stance made headline news: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030819/lntu006_1.html
Yupa Posted October 2, 2003 Report Posted October 2, 2003 they never had the right to the jurisdiction in the first place and if they're going for anything other than pirated MUSIC, they've totally lost it
Aileron Posted October 2, 2003 Report Posted October 2, 2003 Give them a break, they are almost dead anyway. Their problem was that they tried to make themselves an oligopoly, and the RIAA can be considered a cartel. Their existence would violate anti-trust laws if music was anything close to a staple good. However, it isn't important at all. Normally, if such a cartel in an unimportant industry became ridiculous, people would stop buying the goods. In this case, people would not buy music if the CD price exceeded $20. However, downloading songs has replaced simply not having music. Basically, Kazaa and Kazaa lite has been the first compe!@#$%^&*ion the RIAA has had in a while, and they are dealing with it poorly.
madhaha Posted October 2, 2003 Report Posted October 2, 2003 So why do we want to give them a break again?
USS Delta Posted October 3, 2003 Report Posted October 3, 2003 but their idiots with alot of power idiot + alot of power = bad news :roll:
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