RIAA vs. hackers WAR?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Shi Huangdi
The RIAA significantly outweighs it's opponent in terms of organized lobbying and PAC efforts, so there is a good chance they could the government to go their way on legislation, perhaps making hacking into downloaders computers legal, or perhaps tough criminal penalties for people who download music. Then they can just trace down the people downloading the music, and make examples of the individuals.

I can't see even the most diehard Republicans will want to allow RIAA to break into other people's computers, save for those in the pockets of the organisation. You have to realise the backlash against any legislators who support such a silly measure will be staggering, given the sanctity of individualism and privacy. They will be all thrown out of office when the time comes, with a helpful reminder from their challengers.

[SlowwHand]

Has anyone downloaded an MP3 today ?

[Pekka]

Sloww, you just killed this thread .

[SlowwHand]

Well, I just see a lot of argument on good vs. evil.
I haven't, and wondered if someone had some bigger nuts than me, to test the water.

[The Templar]

MP3s have created the situation where the property regime in music has become too expensive to enforce. Everyone can fileshare cheaply, but it costs money to track, identify, and litigate against fed-up consumers who are mostly judgement-proof anyway.

The radical "solution" for the RIAA is to start blowing up other people's computers. Cute. In other words, the RIAA is arguing in favor of violating the property rights of others (in their computers).

I would sugest they invest in a new business model instead.

[SlowwHand]

So you DID download today ?

[Pekka]

Sure. But only one song.

[Dinner]

I figure I'll wait and see.

[Pekka]

But I downloaded it from friend, not p2p-thingies. And that song lasted 130 minutes. And it's not on sail, it's dj's liveset, so I don't think I'm in big trouble.

edit: unless RIAA comes here, listen the set with pen and paper and figure out how many tracks the dj spins. 'Oh we definitely have something here Rudolf. 130 minutes long, track changing every 3 minutes.. you're in deep trouble, BOY!'. At this point I attack these dudes for supposedly sexually harrasing me.

[SlowwHand]

I just didn't want this system to go into some kind of melt-down crisis situation while at the same time 2 guys in suits and dark glasses are banging on the door.

[Pekka]

I'm not worried if it's only a door they're banging, and someone elses than mine .

[The Mad Monk]

What about counter-suits? Suing the RIAA for harassing and causing fear in people? Sure, maybe such suits would be found to be without merit, but a constant deluge of suits may give them something to think about.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by The Mad Monk
What about counter-suits? Suing the RIAA for harassing and causing fear in people?

Sure if you can pay the fines slapped on you by the judge.

[The Mad Monk]

Well, I was thinking of a cadre of lawyers, supported by the internet users in general, through paypal. Would you give $5 to hit the RIAA where it hurts?

I wonder who would end up with the larger warchest...

[SlowwHand]

I'd pay 5 bucks.