| Robbing a Thief |
15 September 2003
|
RIAA Sues Its Customers
The Recording Industry Association of America came out with both barrels blazing last week, suing 261 people for illegally downloading music and sharing music files. In what was undoubtedly a proud moment for American business, the RIAA even managed to get a 12-year-old New York City girl to admit her wrong doing and pay $2,000 in the first
settlement of the suits. Perhaps, they would now like to pay for the advertising they have had for the last 80 years.
The RIAA claims that they are defending property rights in their suits, and that they have shown a kinder and gentler face in offering amnesty to those who confess their misdeeds and erase the files from their
computers
. Yet the property rights of all Americans have been abused by the RIAA with the free broadcasting artists have had for years over the airwaves -- which are common property.
Radio has been where the music industry has done most of its advertising over the years, and record sales have certainly benefited from this free boost to artists' popularity. Enough is enough. Where is the justice in making toothpaste companies, zit cream manufacturers and politicians pay thousands of dollars per minute, while the records of Michael Jackson, the Dixie Chicks and Metallica are advertised for free?
RIAA will argue that the music is entertainment, not advertising. The distinction is not so clear cut, as any viewer of British
TV
can attest (often the adverts are better than the programs). Singing about chewing gum or singing about "lovin' you, babeeee" is still singing, and a product is being hyped either way.
Property rights are important, and the RIAA is certainly entitled to defend its own. One just wishes they weren't stealing from all of us in doing so.
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