Table of Contents

Introduction2

The riaa, music file sharing litigation, public backlash, and the law2

The riaa and its opinions on music file sharing2

Riaa Litigation War On File Sharing3

Music file sharing litigation3

Public backlash and public morality3

The RIAA has taken criticism for pursuing a U.S.3

The Pertinent Copyright Law3

Conclusion3

Introduction

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)'s lawsuit campaign against copyright-infringing file sharing is controversial. Many critics allege that this campaign is unfair and paint the RIAA as mean and a bully. Some critics even claim that the RIAA is subversive toward the rights of the public. At the same time, many file sharers continue to violate the distribution and reproduction rights of copyright holders, record labels, and artists, all who have justified expectations of payment for their products. (riaa.com )

This Note examines the RIAA's approach and alternative approaches to the file sharing problem, and proposes an integrated, comprehensive strategy for dealing with the problem of illegal file sharing. Part I provides a background on the RIAA and its opinions, the development of the RIAA lawsuits, the public backlash against these lawsuits, and the relevant law. Part II describes the challenges to be met by any solution to the file sharing problem, reviews a series of proposals for their strengths and weaknesses, and sets forth a strategy that balances the strengths of a number of previous proposals against each other's weaknesses. This Note concludes with the assertion that the file sharing problem is solvable without wasteful, unpopular lawsuits or major changes to the law, provided that the music industry is willing to adapt to and take cues from the consuming public. (riaa.com )

The riaa, music file sharing litigation, public backlash, and the law

The riaa and its opinions on music file sharing

The RIAA is a trade group, representing the U. S. recording industry.1 Its membership creates, manufactures, or distributes an overwhelming majority of the audio recordings produced and sold in the United States.2 Its avowed mission is "to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes [its] members' creative and financial vitality." To that end, it labors to protect intellectual property rights. (Matthew 155 )

The RIAA's view of sharing copyrighted music files is, some believe, harsh. The RIAA calls this sharing "online piracy" and describes it as "the unauthorized uploading of a copyrighted sound recording and making it available to the public, or downloading a sound recording from an Internet site, even if the recording isn't resold." The RIAA characterizes sharing copyrighted music files as a kind of theft and claims that millions of dollars and investment in the future of music are both jeopardized by the practice. (Stacey 284)

As part of its work to protect intellectual property rights, the RIAA is waging a "multi-faceted" campaign against "online theft of music." That campaign includes offering legal alternatives to music fans, educating music fans about intellectual property, and litigating on behalf of member companies. The RIAA's stated goal for this multifaceted campaign is to protect the industry's capacity to invest in new artists and nurture ...