Congress is considering a bill backed by the Recording Industry Association of America that would increase the penalty for pirating compilation CDs to $1.5 million. The bill, called the PRO-IP Act (Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property), would treat compilation CDs differently than single-artist albums. Ars Technica has the full scoop on the bill that is receiving some major criticism by some who call it "outrageously gluttonous" of copyright cops.
Anyone who pirated a compilation CD would face separate charges for each song on a CD instead of being fined for pirating just one CD. Here is an example: "if a 10-song album were infringed, the statutory damages would not range from $750 to $150,000, as they do today, but could be as high as $7500 to $1.5 million," according to Sherwin Siy is Staff Attorney and Director of the Global Knowledge Initiative at the consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge.
RIAA spokesperson Jonathan Lamy said he couldn't confirm the $1.5 million figure, but says the RIAA is supporting the bill.
In a written statement the RIAA stated: "We support this particular (compilation) provision because our concern is that pirate businesses that make available individual tracks will attempt to use the 'compilation' provision, in a manner that was never intended, to significantly reduce their damages. Additionally, it's important to note that in all of our end-user lawsuits, we never ask for specific damages. We leave it up to the court to decide. And that's what this provision does -- it does not further empower copyright owners, it gives courts the flexibility to use common sense, on a case-by-case basis, as to the appropriate damages based on the illegal business model and the true extent of infringement in a manner that prevents abuse by both copyright owners and infringers."
PRO-IP Act is sponsored by Howard Berman, D-CA who chairs the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property. Berman wrote in a press release posted to his Web site the PRO-IP Act would "give intellectual property owners and law enforcement the tools they need to more effectively combat the intellectual property theft that threatens our jobs, our economy, and our safety."
When will the RIAA stop all this stupidity? Have they ever been able to PROVE a loss in any way? Instead of attacking consumers maybe they should look at their marketing tactics and pricing strategy. Why can I buy a movie that cost hundreds of millions in production for $5, but I have to pay $15 for a CD that cost much less to produce. I buy a lot of CD's EXCEPT for the bands that support the RIAA. I always pirate those!
Have the RIAA ever been able to prove a loss ? Who cares even if
they have posted losses - it wouldn't be due to piracy but more due to the fact that what the record companies are pumping out with a few exceptions is utter and total pish. Come on pushing idol contest winners as talented musicians that have staying power, get a grip ! Also the main demographic that they're aiming at changes it mind as often as the sun rises. I think that record companies should go back to finding real talent by getting their A&R types off of their fat asses and out on the road to bars and clubs instead of surfing utube etc.
It would also help them to put more than 2 good tunes (approx 8 minutes) on an album and filling out the remaining space with the afore mentioned pish.
In what way does intellectual property theft threaten our safety?
Is Usama bin Laden bootlegging CDs out of his cave to fund terror?
f-'em. The RIAA has become a parody of themselves. Maybe they should bow out of the picture when Bush leaves office. Good riddance to the both of 'em. If they can't figure out how to move into the 21st century then let them go the way of the dino!
When oh When will the MORON's of the RIAA learn?? I have a few choice words for the RIAA guess what RIAA you loose in the long run.. You can go ahead and make everyone in the world poor and make everyone eat dirt and so on and so forth.. Guess again RIAA if you want Stop File sharing you Fools will have to TRY and I say TRY to disable the INTERNET!! you want to know why?? LOL omg this is how DUMB the RIAA is..
You dont need P2P crap software to get FREE music... there are Tons of Ways...
Ever hear of Google??
Did you know Microsoft Makes it EASY to RIP MUSIC cds to your Computers?? With Embeded software called MEDIA CENTER!!
God Are they ( the riaa) F-in Dumb!
Did you also know Over E-mail, Messenger ( yahoo, MSN..ect.) you can Send Files to each other?
Yes I grew up in the 80's and we exchanged cassett tapes with friends, Recorded songs off the Radio.... and even traded Vinyl!!
Omg RIAA Sue Me NOW for stuff i did a Decade ago!
What a bunch of morons!
Ahhhaaa! $10 million fine for violation, anyone? *big grin*
RIAA to death...
I cannot wait... :D