RIAA Asks Famed Pirate To Join Anti-Piracy Campaign

[rofltehcat]

Chances are the deal they offered her was something like 20% off. No use accepting terms (I bet never being allowed to speak out against them was one part of it) like those when in the end you still won't be able to ever pay that absurd punishment.

Leaving it stand as a symbol of corporate power abuse is more useful when you're fucked either way.

 

[zidine100]

Got to love legal blackmail, do our add or pay the entirety of the fine and more than likely go bankrupt.

Wonderfull.

 

[Something Amyss]

I don't know why this is being portrayed as something even the RIAA finds ridiculous. Not only have they done dozens of these suits, they've gone after dead people and people without internet. While it may seem ridicuous, I wouldn't be surprised to find out the RIAA had tried to sue an Amish family at some point.

Since the Napster days, they have not only sued for ridiculous amounts, but chased down people for recordings their members don't own, including C&D letters and DMCA claims. Their solution to illegitimate uses of file sharing is to illegitimately go after people who haven't done anything wrong.

They are clowns. They should be mandated to show up in court with floppy shoes and rubber noses that squeak.

Now, I'm not saying you should pirate (you shouldn't). I'm just saying that suing for thousands of dollars over a couple dozen songs is probably the LEAST ridiculous thing they do.

And if you've ever been harassed by them for sharing a song you wrote, arranged, recorded, mixed and finalised all on your lonesome, you know what I mean.

 

[Something Amyss]

It's not like she'll go to jail or be homeless. Bankruptcy is exactly for cases like this one. I know it her sentence isn't unjust, but her situation isn't as hard as some unfortunate people like that LoL player who went to jail for five months for a "terror threat" on Facebook.

Bankruptcy isn't a "get out of jail free" card and may open her up to further issues. Bankruptcy stopped being so laid back in the 90s. Unless you're a corporation, because we like corporations.

 

[Doom972]

I think we should get people together to raise the money to pay this fine.
But not pay it in a check or wired deposit. No.

Pay it in truckloads of coins. Pennies. Nickles. Dimes. Massive amounts of coins. Just dump it on their front-lawn.
Stinkin' RIAA.

It's not like she'll go to jail or be homeless. Bankruptcy is exactly for cases like this one. I know it her sentence isn't unjust, but her situation isn't as hard as some unfortunate people like that LoL player who went to jail for five months for a "terror threat" on Facebook.

Interesting. I guess that explains why she couldn't give less of fuck about paying the fine or any non-monetary payment options. I think I would have done the same thing. Fuck the RIAA, I wouldn't do an anti-piracy thing for them if they paid me

My thoughts exactly. They're just bullies and she shouldn't make any effort to appease them when there's a way for her to handle this and continue with her life. They didn't even offer to dismiss the debt, but to "Reduce" it, as if they actually need this money. Pricks.

It's not like she'll go to jail or be homeless. Bankruptcy is exactly for cases like this one. I know it her sentence isn't unjust, but her situation isn't as hard as some unfortunate people like that LoL player who went to jail for five months for a "terror threat" on Facebook.

Bankruptcy isn't a "get out of jail free" card and may open her up to further issues. Bankruptcy stopped being so laid back in the 90s. Unless you're a corporation, because we like corporations.

I admit that I'm not familiar with bankruptcy in the US as I am in my own country, but I'm aware of the difficulties involved, including the long-term problems, and had no intention of making it seem like a "get out of jail free" card. I just meant to say that she's not helpless in this situation.

 

[Slash2x]

I think we should get people together to raise the money to pay this fine.
But not pay it in a check or wired deposit. No.

Pay it in truckloads of coins. Pennies. Nickles. Dimes. Massive amounts of coins. Just dump it on their front-lawn.
Stinkin' RIAA.

It's not like she'll go to jail or be homeless. Bankruptcy is exactly for cases like this one. I know it her sentence isn't unjust, but her situation isn't as hard as some unfortunate people like that LoL player who went to jail for five months for a "terror threat" on Facebook.

Interesting. I guess that explains why she couldn't give less of fuck about paying the fine or any non-monetary payment options. I think I would have done the same thing. Fuck the RIAA, I wouldn't do an anti-piracy thing for them if they paid me

My thoughts exactly. They're just bullies and she shouldn't make any effort to appease them when there's a way for her to handle this and continue with her life. They didn't even offer to dismiss the debt, but to "Reduce" it, as if they actually need this money. Pricks.

It's not like she'll go to jail or be homeless. Bankruptcy is exactly for cases like this one. I know it her sentence isn't unjust, but her situation isn't as hard as some unfortunate people like that LoL player who went to jail for five months for a "terror threat" on Facebook.

Bankruptcy isn't a "get out of jail free" card and may open her up to further issues. Bankruptcy stopped being so laid back in the 90s. Unless you're a corporation, because we like corporations.

I admit that I'm not familiar with bankruptcy in the US as I am in my own country, but I'm aware of the difficulties involved, including the long-term problems, and had no intention of making it seem like a "get out of jail free" card. I just meant to say that she's not helpless in this situation.

Fuck it lets start an indegogo just to get her paid and get a counter suit paid for to attack them for blackmailing her. It is the USA, does not have to be a real threat just the thought of one and off we go. Hell she could even say it was because she is a woman they attacked her. She would probably come out ahead, knowing my country and our fucked up legal system...

 

[Phrozenflame500]

I'm torn on this one.

On one hand, I want her to make the statement and save money, mainly because the statement will do fuck-all anyways.

On the other hand, I hate the RIAA with a passion and want them to be screwed over even in this minor instance.

 

[Infernal Lawyer]

So it seems like pulling dick moves and either backpedaling on them or offering something as an 'act of good faith' is becoming a fad among corporations.

Psh. Put each coin inside a fold of duct tape, then leave a message saying "This is how you treat us when we legitimately buy something!" The sit and watch as they get frustrated having to open each little duct tape pack only to find a penny or nickel in there. Maybe they'll change their tune once they realize you can't "maximize profits" when you limit, confuse and frustrate your consumers, and violate their rights.

And each fold of duct tape has to be returned with an RIAA representative's signature or the whole lot gets confiscated back.

 

[Micalas]

And if you've ever been harassed by them for sharing a song you wrote, arranged, recorded, mixed and finalized all on your lonesome, you know what I mean.

I'm guessing ridiculousness like this has happened to you?

 

[Something Amyss]

I'm guessing ridiculousness like this has happened to you?

Yup. Had a threatening letter or two back shortly after the shutdown of Napster. My band used P2P to share material with one another and friends. We weren't worried about piracy in part because they were demos and in part because we weren't doing anything professionally at the time, so there was no money to take. Which sort of puzzles me as to how they came across us, but considering they lay claim to THOUSANDS of acts they (the companies they represent) had no rights to during the Napster fiasco, I imagine they intentionally cast their nets wide. And I would be super surprised if I was the only one who was threatened in similar circumstances.

...I'd also be surprised if anyone DID want to pirate us, as the stuff we did was very rough and of debatable quality. But that's another story. I'm really glad this was pre-three strikes policies, because my internet options are really limited and they could have basically shut me down.

Edit: We used P2P servers because it was easier than a lot of the alternatives, too. I still defend this as a valid use of peer-to-peer sharing clients. Granted, these days I could probably e-mail an MP3 if I wanted to. I just haven't had much need.

 

[Something Amyss]

So it seems like pulling dick moves and either backpedaling on them or offering something as an 'act of good faith' is becoming a fad among corporations.

Psh. Put each coin inside a fold of duct tape, then leave a message saying "This is how you treat us when we legitimately buy something!" The sit and watch as they get frustrated having to open each little duct tape pack only to find a penny or nickel in there. Maybe they'll change their tune once they realize you can't "maximize profits" when you limit, confuse and frustrate your consumers, and violate their rights.

And each fold of duct tape has to be returned with an RIAA representative's signature or the whole lot gets confiscated back.

In fact, print one of those contracts on there that by opening, you agree to terms on which the money can be used.

 

[Sir Thomas Sean Connery]

Blackmail and bribery? Nice one RIAA.

I'm glad she shoved it up their ass. Hopefully we'll get an anonymous doner like for the LoL player.

 

[Chinchama]

I'm a bit late to the party, but I am surprised this isn't posted yet.

 

[Atmos Duality]

Well, at least they're being open about their attempted blackmail this time.
Still, just another day for the ruthless RIAA.

As for why Thomas didn't take the deal: I guess the real value in saying 'no' is not being made a further example of.

Now, I'm not saying you should pirate (you shouldn't). I'm just saying that suing for thousands of dollars over a couple dozen songs is probably the LEAST ridiculous thing they do.

What's the penalty to retail value ratio again? Something like 400: 1?

 

[5-0]

Twenty-four songs? Wow, really going after the big fish aren't they? Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[irok]

Good, I'm glad to see she's sticking up for her principals and in her position I would have given the biggest f-you possible , the music producing industry has had it too good for too long and I sense there's a storm coming.

Also wow, 24 songs, woooo, I know people with 10k+ , there's a reason 64 gig iPod's exist and it isn't just movies.

 

[Smooth Operator]

"Famed pirate" after 24 songs downloaded... I bet any money 90% of RIAA own staff have a track record ten fold of her size, and their kids a hundred fold more.

 

[RicoADF]

I'm guessing ridiculousness like this has happened to you?

Yup. Had a threatening letter or two back shortly after the shutdown of Napster. My band used P2P to share material with one another and friends. We weren't worried about piracy in part because they were demos and in part because we weren't doing anything professionally at the time, so there was no money to take. Which sort of puzzles me as to how they came across us, but considering they lay claim to THOUSANDS of acts they (the companies they represent) had no rights to during the Napster fiasco, I imagine they intentionally cast their nets wide. And I would be super surprised if I was the only one who was threatened in similar circumstances.

...I'd also be surprised if anyone DID want to pirate us, as the stuff we did was very rough and of debatable quality. But that's another story. I'm really glad this was pre-three strikes policies, because my internet options are really limited and they could have basically shut me down.

Edit: We used P2P servers because it was easier than a lot of the alternatives, too. I still defend this as a valid use of peer-to-peer sharing clients. Granted, these days I could probably e-mail an MP3 if I wanted to. I just haven't had much need.

Im guessing you turned around and sued them for trying to claim copyright on your work? That'd be lovely to hear happen to them

 

[Andy Chalk]

Unless they're going to wipe the slate completely clean, she has no reason to even consider this offer. Look at it this way: Even if the RIAA reduces the fine by 90 percent, she still owes $22,000 for 24 songs. It's obscenely disproportional. I may no secret of the fact that I don't like piracy, but this kind of response is absolutely unconscionable, and it's actions like this on the part of agencies like the RIAA that make it so difficult to have a reasoned, rational conversation about the causes and costs of piracy.