The RIAA is at it again, looking to lobby a new bill into law to help further collect damages. The newest change? The attempt to make each individual recording in a compilation a separate infringement which allow them to seek damages nearing $1.5 million for each compilation CD you pirate.
The change to statutory damages is contained in the PRO-IP Act that is currently up for consideration in Congress. We've reported on the bill before, noting that Google's top copyright lawyer (and the man who wrote a seven-volume treatise on the subject of copyright law), William Patry, called the bill the most "outrageously gluttonous IP bill ever introduced in the US."
I can't help but think that these guys are idiots. I agree that online filesharing is bad but the heavyhanded manner in which the industry handles their relationships with their customers is ridiculous.
In a few years, all we will be able to listen to is Chamillionaire's free albums that he gives away because he is so cool...
If someone robs 10 banks and gets caught, they don't get charged with 1 robbery. They get charged with 10. Yes? They don't just forfeit the money and go to jail on 1 robbery count.
If someone steals music from 10 different artists, then why would they only get hit with 1 charge? Makes sense to me to hit them with a charge for anyone/everyone they stole from.
So what am I missing?
Granted, I do believe the whole thing is blown way out of proportion, so I'm not arguing the merits of this, simply trying to figure out why it's ok to steal music from several sources/places and not get charged for each theft. Any other type of stealing nets a charge of every single theft, so what makes music different?
Yes doctor, I am sick. Sick of those who are spineless. Sick of those who feel self-entitled. Sick of those who are hypocrites. Yes doctor, an army is forming. Yes doctor, there will be a war. Yes doctor, there will be blood.....
Madison wrote:If someone robs 10 banks and gets caught, they don't get charged with 1 robbery. They get charged with 10. Yes? They don't just forfeit the money and go to jail on 1 robbery count.
If someone steals music from 10 different artists, then why would they only get hit with 1 charge? Makes sense to me to hit them with a charge for anyone/everyone they stole from.
So what am I missing?
The analogy to fit this is, if you stole a CD from Best Buy, they want to be able to charge you with 10 crimes. One for each song on the CD. Which of course makes for another mind blowing reach of logic by the RIAA. Imagine if the fine for stealing a CD from a brick and motar was $1.5 million. That is one valuable CD.
To use the bank analogy it is charging you with a crime for each individual bill you stole.
Cafe Home
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Basketball
Fantasy Hockey
by Tavish » Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:51 pm 
