Dartaignon

The follks over at EFF have put together a database of usernames and IP addresses for people that have been issued subpoena's.

Story here

The Story

The Database

The DB

I was kind of uneasy as I punched in my ip address, and very relieved that it didn't return a result. When I download music, I am usually testing it out before I buy the CD.

I mean is it wrong to want to try a product? If I buy a CD at the local audio store, and open it, it is mine. They do not accept returns on VHS, DVD, or CD unless it is defective. That is store policy at most places I have checked.

I think it's a load of shit to persue people who are doing what radio stations are doing right NOW! Every time I go to a concert, I show everyone what I think with my anti-RIAA tshirt.

While it is wrong to steal the music, I don't think it's wrong for me to want to preview it before I sink 20 bucks into it. That shit adds up after a while.

MarzMartini

Fuuuuck the RIAA.

I've said it before I'll say it again:

They dropped the ball when they rejected digital music formats as the next major method of music distribution. They could have adopted it as the next "cd".

Evo-fucking-loution.

Palimax Sceleris

You do know that radio stations pay the RIAA to play songs, right?

Monty X

In the San Diego area we have 32 FM radio stations. 13 of those are broadcast out of Tijuana, most of which are operated by Clear Channel. Mexican law does not allow americans to own broadcast stations, but they can operate them. Do you think THEY pay the RIAA? Keep in mind the FCC has no authority in Mexico.

I have a friend that works for 91X out of Tijuana, which is operated by Clear Channel. He laughed when he told me NO stations in Tijuana pay the RIAA.

I realize this is just a small number of stations playing music without paying, but Clear Channel owns over 1,200 radio stations in the United States.

One more thing, these Tijuana stations can be tuned in from well into Camp Pendleton, about 50 miles. I can pick up 91X in my car from the NHCP parking lot, which is in a valley deep into the base.

trimlock

i believe people in ocean side can hear 91x?

Palimax Sceleris

For purposes of the discussion, however, I think it's fair to say that "Radio stations pay to play songs."

I'm a fairly big believer in, "pay what you're gonna use" Piracy. Sure, it's evil, it's against the law, I violate copyrights, "steal" people's intellectual property; but I try to be responsible about what I copy.

If I do anything more than dick around in a piece of software for 10 minutes before deciding it's a pile of flaming crap, then I go buy myself a copy. Ditto on albums and DVDs.

While it *is* against the law to do what I do, it isn't against what I honestly believe to be "responsible" of me to do given my ability to acquire nearly anything I want without ever putting dollar-one on the counter at Best Buy.

Laeyakk

I thought the RIAA payed radio stations to play the songs they wanted promoted? (psuedo-payola) To the tune of 100$ million a year.

Biased source:
www.boycott-riaa.com/foru...tected/200

No idea what the balance of psuedo-payola is to copywrite charges.

Esbat

Internet based "radio" stations pay.
I'd say it isn't fair.

Most commercial stations that you listen to on your radio don't have to pay for the music they broadcast since they are offering it on a "promotional" basis- in other words, they are allowed to broadcast (at least some) of the music they play so that the public can hear it and then go buy the CD.

Without mainstream radio force feeding the masses, a lot of bands would probably not be as popular as they are now- and a lot of bands that might very well make better music might be.
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Even if the stations are paying XXX dollars a year to broadcast, as stated in the link above, they might well be getting XXX dollars PLUS some payola back from the record companies- so they may very well be making a profit to play songs.

Palimax Sceleris

While radio stations undoubtedly receive fees and other benefits (appearances, concert plugs, etc) for playing certain artists, they still pay ASCAP and BMI for every last song they play.

It might be a positive-sum game for them - taking in more with the left hand than they're giving out with the right - but songs aren't free for them either.

Radio stations, for the most part, aren't public service. They're money making ventures. Can I sell enough advertising space playing these songs, or do I have to play some of the crap the RIAA wants me to play for a little more dough?

Esbat

My point is if you are paying Palimax 100 plat to buy his geerlock items, but he is paying you 125 plat to give his geerlock items publicity...

In reality- You are not paying Palimax a damn thing- he is paying you 25 plat.

I'll also conceed that business law and the accounting practices or large companies have very little to do with reality in many cases.