My understanding is that one of the reasons we're at risk of changing laws is because the California politicians are all buddies with the RIAA & MPAA & of course are powerful in Congress due to California's large size & population.

All it takes is 1 vote to strike down decades of fair use laws.

The f'ing bastards.

Thanks for sharing that article, Alan. Very interesting stuff!

Computer software manufacturers used to be very rigid about their policy that you were only legally allowed to install any one copy of a software program on a single computer. Some of the smarter ones realized that many people have a computer at home and one at work (and maybe even a laptop for the time spent between work and home) so they changed their policy to read that the licensed user could install that single copy onto more than one computer as long as only one copy would be used at a time (and only by that copy's purchaser.)

Not only was it a goodwill gesture on their part, but they also realized that their software will be seen by more people (possible purchasers) when people bring that copy of their software to work!

Despite this softening of the rules, those software manufacturers are still in business, so they must be doing something right. I know that this change in attitude improved my opinion of them drastically. THAT's a "fair use" policy in my opinion.

The RIAA needs to flex its brain rather than its political muscle all the time and it too will continue to thrive (and maybe even stop pissing off the customers who keep them in business in the process.) As much as I hate the bastards, I have still put a LOTof money in their pockets in my lifetime.

And don't get me started on the fact that I can buy the newest version of the computer software that I own at a lower/upgrade price. How often do record labels offer a special "upgrade price" for those who are buying the newer mastering of a CD that they already own?

It's easier to blame your failures on "pirates" than it is to take responsibility for the fact that you can't keep up with the changing times. If I recall correctly, wasn't the RIAA against iTunes initially, saying that it would never be a viable way of distributing music?

Honestly, I don't think I will ever have enough free time to listen to all of the CDs I own already. It wouldn't bother me at all, not ever buying from the RIAA again. If they remain on their current course, they will lose this customer forever.

Lawyers will not step in and help these people for free even if they know these people are right. in fear that the legal and political community they are involved in will not grant them future favors in cases they will make money on in other cases. They do not have the guts to stand up for what is right and take away the carcass their legal community are feeding on.
The chicken attorneys do not want to bite the hand that feeds them.
Its all about the money.

If it wasn't we would have a say in things. There must be attorneys out there who collect music and feel the same way. Why haven't they come out and formed a legal defense community who will help defend us and forward our message for change.

Attorneys are sick scavengers who are afraid to challenge the people who provide them helpless prey.

Why can't we organize and fight back? Jay

I couldn't have said it better.

You may want to watch the generalizations...there are quite a few attorneys on this board, and none of us (as far as I can tell) fit the "scumbag lawyer" stereotype.



Now you're talking.

Ven, as an attorney what's your take on this situation? (a detailed answer would be very cool!)

I like how it looks like you're accusing IMWAN member Jay Mathias (a lawyer). A lot of what you say is true (the fear angle), but it's a bit unfair. Attorneys need paychecks too, and the risk of being blackballed in their field or losing clients is not something easy to take.

I'm not aiming at anyone in particular.
There's good and bad in everyone, in every field, everywhere.

I just do not understand. Do we so look at ourselves and think what we do really is wrong and therefore not challenge them?
Why do we sit idlly while they (meaning the RIAA) have laws made in their favor.
Where is an organization to represent our views on intellectual property and such. Why is there not a group of attorneys passionate enough concerning music leading the way protecting us from false advertising and unfair trade practices.....I forget the word.

Come on attorneys. Be heroes. Step up and challenge these bastards.
Preserving art is what we do. When a concert is performed without the intent to preserve it by the creators; there should be no reason that
since the music is being treated as trash it that it then enters the public domain. If the musicians are discarding their sounds.....one mans trash is another mans treasure. Sorry I'm all over the place on this one...but you get the point.

Where are our lobbyists. What are they afraid of? Jay

The one attorney who REALLY deserves our kudos and thanks is Howell Begle! (And, even if he were not an attorney, I would be impressed by what he has done.)

He origanized the Rhythm and Blues Foundation (which has helped MANY early R&B recording artists to recoup royalties owed to them by record companies.) He personally represented the artists in their suits against the record companies. As I recall, his actions helped some artists go from being destitute to living out their later years very comfortably. From what I've read, he did it because of his own passion for music and his passion for seeing wrongs righted. Oh, and he did it all free of charge.

I wish I could give you a detailed response, but I'm afraid I don't know the first thing about copyright law. Ask me about abused and neglected kids, or perhaps criminal law, and maybe I'll have something useful to say. But with this RIAA stuff, all I can give you is my "lay" opinion, which is a lot like mtruslow's.