RIAA to Hold Off on Mass Lawsuits

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The RIAA also finds, discovers and helps the artists whose music you hear today get contracts, published, etc. While I find their acts a bit despicable and greedy. I guess if someone hit your pocketbook you might try to get revenge 'by any means necessary'. This does mean they have the right to take the law into their own hands. They should've gone through proper channels to begin with, instead of indulging in this aggregation. Although, I must say, their actions have discouraged and scared away many of my 'free music' friends from distributing their music.
Still... in some circles piracy remains an issue. But I also believe the internet has greatly helped new music artists break into the field.

Deen of CO 4:34PM December 25, 2008

When I go to a music store and buy CD's,a percentage of the money I pay goes to the recording artist as royalties.This is compensation for the fruit of their labors,i.e.their music.When people download off the internet without paying a fee,the artist gets nothing.Is that fair?Would you like to go to your job,do your best work only to be told at the end of the week that everything you did was stolen by some third party and that you were not going to be paid for all of your hard work? I don't like the record companies any more than anyone else,but,how can you screw them without screwing the artist?Sorry but you can't.Feeless downloading is theft of intellectual property,pure and simple.If you don't want to pay for your music,fine,but,don't be surprised when artists are not able to afford to keep making it.You're only hurting yourself in the long run.

Tim Schubert of IL 3:31PM December 22, 2008

They are a collective of record companies. They are not busy collecting money for "the artists," but for themselves. It is time to stop giving these people ink. If you want to talk about increasing revue for artists, fine, but why don't you talk to the artists and not these business execs.

rockyc of VA 1:14PM December 22, 2008

If the RIAA can somehow convince your internet service provider to cut you off, then you can be sure that corporations, not citizens are running your country. The RIAA, no matter how much it might wish to be all-powerful, is not a proper intervening 3rd party to your contract with an ISP.

Muser of 5:19PM December 20, 2008

Isn't the RIAA similar to the vigilantes of the late 19th century whereby they appear to have taken the law into their own hands, and in some States, possibly committed criminal acts? For instance, it appears that the State of Michigan has put the RIAA"s forensic agent on notice that a private investigator's license is required to gather evidence on file sharers. Gathering computer forensic evidence without a license in Michigan is a felony, with 4 year jail time. I for one intend to ask the Michigan law enforcement authorities to investigate possible conspiracy and criminal acts by the RIAA and their agents.

justasking99 of CA 12:56PM December 20, 2008