The CRIA got caught with their hand in the cookie jar on that surtax when they were lobbying for DMCA-like laws.

I’m a professional musician and songwriter. Those people are dead, dead… none of us in my local community of artists think any of those people (CRIA, MPAA, RIAA etc) have anything other than their own pockets in mind. Fortunately, cheap recording tech and almost free distribution means that we can produce and distribute our own work and use it as a way to help us put paying butts in seats for performances. This is a bit hard on people who aren’t in performing arts (writers and filmmakers, for example) but I’m sure they’re going to figure out a way to do it too.

The way we think like this? Because it’s been very apparent that the distinction between “creators” and “owners” means that we don’t get paid regardless. So fuck ‘em.

we already have a solution, and it works! when dual cassette decks were the scourge, legislation was passed that added a tiny surcharge to the media and recorders. the money was collected into a fund that was then dispersed based on record sales.

the same thing could be done today – surcharge the means (i’m talking 1-2 cents on discs, 40-50 cents on burners and mp3 players, etc), create a reporting system for file sharing and downloads, and tell the consumers to have at it.

copyright owners get paid, consumers get access without demonization, end of story.

these people are so caught up in how we did it last century they’re going to lose the farm.

The feds MUST stop indemnifying AT&T against any wrongdoing like delivering property that doesn’t belong to them, and charging a premium for this service. ASCAP is a non-governmental agency that collects for copyright holders from final-point-of-distribution entities like bars and restaurants and radio stations, because THEY are charging customers for the added value music brings to their establishments and broadcasts. ISPs MUST be forced to do the same, and the government needs to BUTT OUT.

It is the way forward, and if you don’t understand that, YOU butt out.

You’re right, but the reason they expected us to give them their wallets is because that’s how it’s always been. Large economic entities, whether a corporation, a railroad, or the aristocracy, have always done bupkiss for anyone, except take their money. The internet is the greatest tool in the history of humanity in finally fighting back against state-sanctioned theft.

Oh, and Herr G: Invest in a new brain, maybe one that’s open a bit. Biker gangs are referred to as “Bikeys” throughout the British Diaspora. Except in America.

Wankers.

Shorter RIAA:

How come the kids hate us? We’re all hep cats!

We *have* to get paid. Oh … and I suppose people actually have to get something from us in return.

Invest in a spellchecker and grammar checker. I hear they’re free.