A lot has happened in the past year. Bottom line is that the lawsuits which began less than a year ago, continue. It just shows that the RIAA doesn't learn well from past mistakes. I think it was Einstein who defined insantity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

We've seen the RIAA attack old people, young people, middle aged people. They've sued old ladies,grandfathers, 12 year old girls, and age groups in between.

The piracy rhetoric has continued, though, here and there, we have seen the term "copyright infringement" begin to creep in, and we also saw a Judge, in a major case, warn big label attorney Carey Ramos, for using "abusive language" when he was using terms like pirates and piracy and theft of music.

A lot of members of this site have come and gone. We've seen staff changes, and we've seen a lot of activism by our members, writing their congress people, handing out fliers, writing letters to the edtors, etc..

I've seen that the USA is not the only nation concerned about the issues we've covered. I've had letters from people in countries as far south as Brazil, and as far north as Denmark, and they see that the recording industry , as represented by the RIAA, have been trying to extend their draconian actions into these countries as well.

We've seen congresspeople like Orrin Hatch, Howard Berman, Lamar Smith, and others, keep coming up with bill after bill trying to make filesharing criminal. We've seen Hatch promote the RIAA and others trying to hack into your home box (or even, shudder, destroy your drive by use of virii).

Has our side of the movement quit? Nope. Have "They" quit? Nope.
It's an ongoing battle between pro-consumer forces and anti-consumer forces.

Through this whole battle, there have been a lot of people who have kept up the fight. There are SO many people here that I would not want to in any way insult any of the fine people by NOT mentioning them, but I did want to send out a few kudos to people around this site that have made this machine keep rolling.

First, Leflaw. If Larry didn't pay the bills for the bandwidth and all, the site would not have been here, so Lef....hats off to you!

George D. Ziemann. Although we had our disagreements from time to time, and George is focussing more on his site these days, George stood his ground and you guys don't know how much George did behind the scenes, in addition to posting great articles. So, Gdziemann, this bud's for you :).

Fu-dog and Milladrive, you guys just rock. These guys are unsung, but without their expertise, the site would probably have a bunch of php and MySql database errors instead of the many fine articles.
Joe and Milla, thumbs up.

IndependentMusician, Shmoo...dude...you're still around and still fighting. Granted, you're not staff, but the fact you have remained loyal to this site and to the fight, should get honorable mention.

Last, but certainly not least, Tomsong. Tom busts his butt to put up videos, do T-shirts, do great articles, does research on bills, acts, and laws...and is one of the best writers I know. He really has the "right stuff" , to borrow a term from a book on fighter pilots. I can only read Tom's writings and stand in awe of his skillful use of words and ideas. Also, over the past year, Tom has become my personal friend, and so, Tom...just want to say thanks to you.

And, I wanted to say something kind about Bill Evans. Thumbtack and I had, and have our differences, but Bill started this site, and I know he is still active fighting the RIAA in his own way.
He started another anti-RIAA news site, and continues to be active, so Bill/ Thumbtack, hats off to you too man!

A couple of other folks who have become very good contributors, are LaChatte and Pepe. You guys ...where do you dig up all these great articles???? :). Thank you ladies for all your enthusiasm, optimism, good humor, and continuing efforts.

I couldn't mention everyone because I just don't have space, but you guys know who you are :).

Have we made a difference by what we have done in the past year?

I think so. I think we have helped to inform a LOT of people about the issues, about the way in which artists are exploited by the big 5 and other RIAA affiliated labels. I think our boycott has definitely hit them and deprived them of some money (though I don't know how much impact there has been).

In closing...I have become less active than I used to be here.
One reason is that I have had a hard time refraining from engaging in political discussion about what I see as a movement toward fascism and globalism, but hey, that's me. Because many felt this took away from the main theme here, I erected a lot of disucssion board sites and started my own blog.

So, hey guys...the Site is STILL HERE.

Dmusic is still promoting independent music.
Boycott-riaa is still spreading the word and fighting the anti-consumer actions of the RIAA and others,

The Beat Goes On.

"so it goes"-Kurt Vonnegut.

Peace.
~CodeWarrior

I just want to say THANK YOU for this site, because it has opened my eyes as to what is really going on with the RIAA suing file sharers. I've learned more from this site about copyright law and infringement, the RIAA and record labels, and other related issues throughout the year, than I could have from other media sources. I've said this before and I will say this again, EDUCATION is a powerful tool in any fight. Those that are trying to get laws passed that favor their side of this argument COUNT on the fact that most people aren't "educated" enough to understand the real issues being argued here. Only through an informative site like this would real education be possible on this subject matter.

Whether the information was found here, or at other linked sites, it is through everyone's hard work here that I understand more about "copyright infringement" than I ever could have from today's corporate owned media (TV, radio, newspapers, etc.). Again, THANKS!!!

2 thumbs up for Code! I thank you for your input here and have always enjoyed your well written articles, even if I didn't always agree. But hey...that's what America is supposed to be about. Freedom of speech.

Code,

Face it, you are just addicted to this site, and thats not a bad thing..not for all of us here anyway.

This site needs you, desperately, your insights, your humor, your rants and raves. You and this site are like the engine working on all 8 cylinders. (Yes it's an 8 cylinder vehicle, big and powerful)

And I still say for the people who don't "get" you, I feel sorry for, cause they are missing a good ride! However, that is their choice.

Freedom to speak whether in agreement or not, is a wonderful thing. Nothing like a good argument...we just need to be more considerate of HOW we argue.

Being demeaning about or to someone just because we don't agree with them is not much of a good debate. (which reminds me of the candidates in our last two weeks up here leading up to our election).

So, to Code, Leflaw, Tom and all you guys taking care of this site, (and everyone who participates, not much of discussion board without you all) a big THANKYOU!!! It's a privilege to be here. ~pepe~

Ok, I have a one track mind. I stick with what I like, and this place gives me all the news and what I need to know and to do to keep fighting the riaa. I don't mind the political slants at all, cause as an independent, I want to learn all sides before making up my mind. Some folks are pretty fanatic about their beleifs and feel threatened when others disagree. Forever the peacemaker, I try to get us to agree to disagree peaceably!

Code, your campaign has not shaped up recently, but we can still write you in come November.

thanks Rocknrollwoman...you're the greatest !

~Code

WOOOOO!!! Codewarrior for president!!! I'll run for treasury and spend the surplus Code'll bring in on dmusic.com as a promotional stunt to get this nation back in the better graces of the world!!

I mean... what kind of a country wouldn't be our friends after we give them free indy music and simultaneously promote the little guys that have been needing it for the last century?

Ziemann can be vice-president for when Code takes a vacation passing out "boycott-riaa.com 4ever!" tshirts to children in third world contries, in addition to a life of well balanced meals provided by the other countries that will actually love the reformed America.

Then, after the world government kicks in and boycott-riaa.com becomes the center of the new economy, there will be free music for everyone.. and everyone will actually have a reason to make music for free... since there'll no longer be a need for war and hate with all the free music.

Yes, it'll be great. Very great... now, back to reading the political fantasy novel I was on...

Yea Code a year for me also, may not post as much but I am still here! and a full supporter of this movment you guys ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

long time no see woodhead

Hell, If Code becomes prez, we can outlaw the RIAA, MPAA and whomever else is in their group.

Well isn't this funny, I thought you've been here longer than that Code

When I first came to this site, George was here and doing his thing. Feeling comfortable with what I had known here, my comfort zone was pushed by George leaving. Really felt sad over that, even though I know we all grow and move on; that is the nature of life.

I have learned and been exposed to far more than just copywrite issues within this site. At first I did see the corrollation, what has all this political crap got to do with copywrite? Well, since then my attention to that has changed. It quite frankly has everything to do with it in its present form and what form it might take in the future. Just because an article appearing here doesn't tie directly, at first glance, doesn't mean there isn't a tie-in somewhere down the road. Those that argue the site focus has changed from its original direction are quite correct. That hasn't hurt the site and I think a few are too narrow in focus to see the horizon and where some of this both ties in and where it goes.

Flustration leads many to cuss and fuss at others because they don't share the same viewpoint. Winding up with little in the way of counterpoint evidence they are left with attacking those whom they view as the opponet with slang and slander. That sort of speaks for itself and when I hear disagreements that attack the opposite person instead of the idea, it tells me right away that person doesn't have anything to support himself other than his feelings. Just because you feel, don't make it right. This sort of thing is exaclty what brought us the flat earth idea.

I don't always make a comment, you can believe there is little that makes an article mention here that I don't read. Once in a while I get fired up and respond, mostly I read and file away for later thought.

Nice to see this site still up and with the ability for most posts to remain unchanged and unaltered. Even those with opposing points of view get their chance to say what is on their mind, right or wrong. Many times have been tempted to tell the naysayers that there are other sites and they aren't run like this one. If they are having troubles with this site they should get a taste of some of the other ones before they go to speaking about the site and topic. Even better, money talks, don't like it? Make one of your own, you can say whatever your heart desires there.

This site and the posts of Code Warrior helped inspire us to create the Hollywood Memorabilia Legal Project in Los Angeles.

The research available here has been valuable for our work helping eBay sellers whose businesses are being harmed by members of both the MPAA and the RIAA.

Thank you Code Warrior!

wow.
A year huh? You've done a lot in a year Code, and it's all worthy of note in one way or another.
I've been here a bit longer, but I'm not near the activist I thought I was *smirk*. I do my "first of the month" thing.. no no no.. get your minds out of the gutter. I hand out about 500 fliers the first of every month, but that's about the extent of it. School and work and a new wife keep me pretty busy. I'm here every day, reading what's posted and contributing when I feel my input is relevant, and enjoying some of the squabbles we (yes 'WE'..., I've started and been in some humDINGERS), but the bottom line is we've all stayed true to the cause. The Music.
Thanks Code for staying true, and for sharing your knowledge and experience.
I hope we both have more years ahead of us here.
I would be remiss if I didn't be a schmuck and repeat some of what Code said tho. It's because of so many people that WE are here anyway, from Bill Evans to Leflaw to .. well.. everyone else. I'm not sure who's who really.. just know that w/o the sysops and admins, we wouldn't have this great place to be and share.
Nuff said!?
ttmmm

It has been only a year? Somehow seems much longer, and also at the same time, seems much less time than that. Even if you are cutting back a bunch on your posts here, I hope you occasionally do pop in at least every once in a while. We need ya. You and George and the like are very prolific and astonish me with your abilities of not only giving your opinions on the issues, but also being able to find the links to all the points/sub-points (and thus "footnote") in regard to those issues. How do you all do it? The best I am able to do is to rant and rave with my own oppinions and if anyone ever wants to check on any facts about something I say, they have to just google it themselves.

My hat is off too ya Code.
George, leflaw, compmore, tomsong, carla, thumbtack, etc. etc. etc. EVERYBODY (even mroop)

PARTICIPATION is the most cherrished thing any of you bring to this site and our issues/agenda.

Shmoo, of Electric Gypsy
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