RIAA Wants Anti-Virus Software to Filter Pirated Content?

Says will eliminate any benefit from encryption while "protecting" users.

There's an interesting new video from the recent State of the Net Conference up on Public Knowledge, in which the RIAA's Cary Sherman discusses ISP content filtering, encryption, fair use, and what role govt should play in it all.

The video is an abridged version which nicely focuses on his answer to 4 important questions, and at the same time points out the fallacy of each.

What’s the RIAA’s stance on content filtering?

Notes that is a "technological problem" with "technological solutions." But, the method he cites is pure fantasy. He says that content filtering is a "targeted approach" that "doesn't stop all copyrighted works, only those that have actually been claimed by copyright owners."

Say what?

He also says it shouldn't be feared by privacy advocates, though he fails to address why it may be bad to have ISPs monitor each and every packet of data transferred across their network for copyrighted material.

What about encryption?

This is where it gets interesting. Sherman says that filters can be placed in "the applications" or "placed on end users computer that could eliminate any, uh, benefit from encryption."

For "When people start moving to encryption and so on, they know they're engaging in illegal conduct," he continues.

Oh really. It couldn't be because they just appreciate their privacy?

What about fair use?

"Record companies and copyright owners rely on fair use as much or more than anybody because everything that they do is built on things that other people have done," Sharman says.

He makes another outrageous claim here in which he compares content filtering to seatbelts and airbags as though it could actually save lives as do they. Talk about a insane.

Should Congress mandate filters for ISPs?

Though praises a European-style regulatory approach, he says that he prefers a "marketplace approach."

He then oddly says that proper network traffic management mandates the need for content filtering as if they go hand in hand. Apparently, in his opinion, network traffic management can be used to educate users that what they're doing may be illegal and therefore choose to stop. It wouldn't be used for "blocking or stopping a transmission, but using it as part of a notification system."

I'm sure the RIAA would be satisfied with ISPs simply notifying users of possible illegal practices and not ask to have its notified as well so it could follow up on the matter. Especially after its legal practices have been full of so much "restraint" up until now right?

May I Legally Rip My CD to My iPod?

Interestingly enough he doesn't take a position on its legality, says that they simply "don't object."

Figures, for I think the RIAA would love for nothing more than for it to be illegal to make any copies of music albums, digital or otherwise.

Moreover, several times Sherman seems to see a future in which your ISP, modem, PC, router, and perhaps even your anti-virus software all work in tandem to protect the profits of the record industry.

Nothing could be scarier.