RIAA or no RIAA?

[thegathering]

I'm just curious about the ratio of pro/anti RIAA advocates here on this forum.

Vote YES, I DO SUPPORT or NO, I DO NOT SUPPORT.

Thank you.

[Koko Ed]

Being an artist I support them.
They worked hard to create their works of art and deserve to be rewarded for their work.

[LordTalps]

I can't support them at all until they actual take something to trial. 100% of their lawsuits have been either dropped or settled. Not a single precedent has been set, and they don't mind at all. They're raking in dough that they never could because they can sue for much more profit than they can sell cds.

Well, I have to say nix on the RIAA. I mean, if a fan really likes the music, they'll go out and buy the album. You can't support a band and claim to be a fan if you download their music.

Plus, the RIAA hasn't done much good, and they've had many examples of very large mistakes and negative actions. For example, the RIAA has filed a lawsuit against a woman who has never bought, turned on, or used a personal computer for using an "online distribution system" to obtain unlicensed music files. (for more info on fun stuff like this, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA#Criticism )

And plus, did the artists even ask for their "protection"?

"This is not rocket science. Instead of spending all this money litigating against kids who are the people they're trying to sell things to in the first place, they have to learn how to effectively use the Internet. For the artists, my $@#$@#$@#... I didn't ask them to protect me, and I don't want their protection." - David Draiman

This is the singer of Disturbed. I can think of a couple of other bands that don't want the RIAA to do what it does (Anti-Flag, for example).

[Koko Ed]

I'm lovin' some these RIAA images I'm finding online (can't post the best one though. Too vulgar for these pages)





The internet is soooooo fun!

[DanDon]

That it is.......I love those pictures!

[artdutra04]

While I support the rights of artists and their property, I cannot say that I love the RIAA. Especially when they complain about things like ripping a CD to your computer so you can put the music on your iPod. If I bought the CD, then why should I be forced to buy the song a second time if I want to listen to it on my iPod, or a third time if I want it as a ringtone on my phone, or a fourth time if I want to listen to it via a streaming media server in my house?

It's like buying a set of rims for your car, only to have the car company tell you that you will be sued if you ever put those rims on a different car. It's only possible to use the rims on one car at once, so does it really matter if you decide that you like them better on your other car or not?

If I buy a CD, and copy the music onto my iPod, I'm never going to be using both at the same time - I'll either be using one or the other. So there will only be one copy of the song at most ever playing. Would this not constitute "fair use" under Copyright law? So why should I get penalized for making backup disks of my CDs or ripping the music to my computer to archive it?

Or here is my favorite one. According to WIRED news, the RIAA wanted to hack people's computers to delete mp3 files that it found. If the RIAA ever hacked my computer and deleted my files, how could they prove the original source of the files and whether or not they were illegal? What if I wanted to listen to some tunes while I work, so I purchased a few mp3s and legally downloaded them, only to have my legal mp3 files deleted by the RIAA solely because of their file extension?

If they did do this to me, they would have illegally infiltrated my computer network, snooped around my private files, and then destroyed my property. Last I checked, hacking was illegal and destruction of private property was fair grounds for a lawsuit.

There is a right way to protect the rights and intellectual property of people. The RIAA is not one of them.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Being an artist I support them.
They worked hard to create their works of art and deserve to be rewarded for their work.

The RIAA didn't work hard to create the music, the musicians did. I have yet to see one artist claim to receive a penny from all of these settlements, however.

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

RIAA or no RIAA, most of us will continue to download music. However, I know there is a potential consequence. I do the only thing that can be done in the situation...I deal with it. Some bands want the protection of the RIAA - they get it. Those are the bands the RIAA exists for.

[thegathering]

Interesting so far. 18 no's and 1 yes. I had expected maybe a 2-1 ratio... not an 18-1.

[LordTalps]

Originally Posted by thegathering

Interesting so far. 18 no's and 1 yes. I had expected maybe a 2-1 ratio... not an 18-1.

19-1

edit: ChiefDelphi has smart people on it? Bet dslr wouldn't be far off.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by LordTalps

19-1

edit: ChiefDelphi has smart people on it? Bet dslr wouldn't be far off.

Yeah I'm the only one who voted otherwise and I have to admit I don't know much about the situation. Does the RIAA represent artist or record companies? Becasue I have seen artist who have openly endored the RIAA's side of the arguement.

[X-Istence]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Being an artist I support them.
They worked hard to create their works of art and deserve to be rewarded for their work.

I agree with the artist created their work and they deserve to be rewarded, I don't support the RIAA though. I buy all my music legally, from iTunes, but only after I have had a chance to sample the music. I don't like DRM and hate the fact that the RIAA is pushing it onto us. I can understand the need for DRM, but at the same time do not feel that it allows the freedom that has been allowed under US copyright laws.

If it were not for me downloading music, mostly one or two songs from bittorrent, limewire, kazaa or other applications, I would not have a huge legal collection amounting to well over $4000 worth of music. If I like music I buy it, when I buy it I look for more music like it. Kinda an infinite loop

[Michelle Celio]

I don't like the RIAA just because they're weird. But thats just my opinion.

I mean yeah, they're trying to protect the artist (thats my impression of it) but like Mike said

Originally Posted by Mike

I have yet to see one artist claim to receive a penny from all of these settlements, however.

But think about it..."back in the day" when people used to use cassette tapes to record songs off the radio, kinda reminds me of how people now (illegally) download music.

[Steve W]

I did not vote. The reason is that even in this thread I could not find Proof of allegations or a definite mission statement from RIAA.

If they stand for the stopping of illegal downloads of music and videos, I am with them. If they stand for stopping file sharing of copyrighted property, I am with them. If however they are against my right to back legally purchased music for personal use, I am against that.

Downloading of music that is not purchased legally is against the law. This is a fact. Those that produce the music have rights. You and I have rights. I know that if I came into your pits at an event and took your laptop, robot or robot parts you might get upset. Why would you if you see no issue with downloading music or videos?

The thread on Legalities discusses a lot of what is right and wrong so I will not continue ranting. I will however answer questions if asked.