Association of America) is on the rampage again. Not content
with "cold shouldering" new artists, they are now also trying to
shut down all music sharing programs.The riaa recently issued a
lawsuit against AudioGalaxy and other P2P firms. They plan to
control what music we hear, the artists/bands we hear, when we
hear, where we hear, they plan to have taxes added onto
purchases of CDs and CD-Rs, and even plan to hack our computers
(ref http://www.wired.com/news/conflict/0,2100,47552,00.html), all for
the benefit of themselves alone.
For some time the riaa has reveled in wielding it's power over
the entire music industry. It has only ever promoted and
supported music artists who are members of it's "exclusive old
boys' club." It has ruthlessly grabbed and now holds control of
80% of the world's record sales and all of the American radio
stations ... but maybe it's time for a change?
Many of us are fed up with record companies dictating to us
about what music we get to hear, how much money we will pay them
for that music, and what we can do with that music once we
actually own it.
People who use music-sharing programs (or P2P) are NOT the
thieves that the riaa claimed in its lawsuit. P2P is simply a
huge audition room consisting of music lovers who dedicate time
to listen to music sounds, discuss them, then decide if the
sound is marketable. We’re sound auditioners. AudioGalaxy, with
50+ million members, is also the largest *free* market test
facility in the world.
We listen to sounds created by myriad different artists and if
we like it … WE PURCHASE IT AND RECOMMEND IT TO OTHERS. Nothing
against the following artists, but not everybody wants to listen
to Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys or the Top 50 repeated ad
nauseum every time we listen to the radio (also controlled by
the riaa). Music sharing programs allow us easy access to a wide
range of musical styles, AND THEREFORE RESULTS IN A WIDER RANGE
OF MUSIC BEING PURCHASED. The RIAA would like to try and tell
you that the music industry suffers because of these programs …
when in fact the opposite is closer to the truth. We listen to
material and IF WE LIKE IT … WE GO OUT AND BUY IT.
P2P such as AudioGalaxy facilitates free, fast, easy access to
the entire rainbow of musical sounds from old to new and
everything in between. Studies have proved that because of P2P
a wider range of music is being purchased than is *authorized*
by the riaa. When Napster (one of the original music sharing
programs) was at its peak with 30 million members, market
studies showed record-high purchases of music CDs. Even though
the court ruled against the riaa Napster was destroyed through
riaa’s “expensive lawsuits” tactics. Now riaa is doing the same
thing to the other P2P companies.
The riaa would like you to believe that the music industry
suffers because of these programs … when in fact the actual
truth is that purchases of music that is not authorized by the
riaa means riaa doesn’t get money on those purchases.
It is ironic that some corporate riaa members manufacture and
market products such as CD Burners, writable CDs (CD-R and CD-
RW) and MP3 players yet these same companies want to severely
restrict our use of these products. It is similar to selling us
a cassette recorder while saying we cannot record music off the
radio (which many people do). Or selling us a video recorder and
saying we cannot tape TV shows (which many people also do).
There shouldn’t be anything wrong with consumers simply making a
tape or CD for their own personal use (to sample or audition
different styles of music). Consumers will ALWAYS want to
purchase original and high quality copies of music.
This is about YOUR MONEY … AND YOUR FREEDOM. The riaa intends
to control both. That is why we must use the almighty dollar to
regain some control for us, the consumers. To this end, and as a
form of protest, we are asking for people to join in a worldwide
BOYCOTT of CD purchases for the entire month of AUGUST 2002,
when riaa’s lawsuit against AudioGalaxy is heard in court.
Please help us to express our dissention of the riaa’s lawsuit
by NOT purchasing any CDs that are distributed by *riaa
approved* record companies (a list is at http://www.boycott-
riaa.com/membership.php).
We strongly encourage you to look at the following sites:
http://www.boycott-riaa.com – This site is a good one for
keeping up to date on what is going on regarding the planned
boycott and includes links at the bottom of the page: Why Should
I Boycott? | What Can I Do? | Who To Boycott?
http://www.Death2RIAA.com – This site was created to give people
general information about sound auditioning, the riaa’s charges,
what actions music lovers are taking, as well as providing us
with an online facility to post new and relevant info.
http://www.audiogalaxy.com/groups/group.php?&gID=447280 – This
is the group page on AudioGalaxy for the group Save
Audiogalaxy. It was created so that people with a common desire
to take action can get together to share news, ideas and unite
in standing up to the riaa. Please become a member (it's free).
Thank you for reading this and we hope you will join us in
August for the boycott. Please disperse this email as widely as
possible because we need numbers if we want to make a
difference.
Sincerely,
The united members of Save Audiogalaxy
Links:
http://www.Death2RIAA.com
http://www.audiogalaxy.com
http://www.boycott-riaa.com
http://www.wired.com/news/conflict/0,2100,47552,00.html
http://www.riaa.com
real tyte bro \m/
