Worried that information about your file-sharing username may have been subpoenaed by the RIAA?

There's a great EFF service aimed at dispelling those concerns.

Check here to see if your username or IP address is on one of the subpoenas filed with the DC District Court.

The info comes from the court's PACER database and will be updated when that system is updated.

Also have a look at How Not to Get Sued by the RIAA for File Sharing (and other Ideas to Avoid Being Treated Like a Criminal).

And there's no fear that the EFF is in effect creating, "a treasure trove of information about you that could itself be subpoenaed by the RIAA or anyone else".

"IP addresses are not logged anywhere on the EFF website," it promises. Nor is the EFF logging searches to its database.

"If the RIAA comes knocking on our door, we will have no identifying information to give them about you or anyone else," it states.

Thank you EFF!$!

The EFF is great, and I think was started by an ex rock musician ironically enough.

It's a great idea ,but why plug in usernames that RIAA and MPAA can use someone down the line? just post the names.

well its safe unless they hack there website,there going to add ip address to the search here soon.

is it me but is it only kazaa,the ones that tried to sue the riaa that is being targeted?

off topic (kinda)

w00t my htaccess has been downloaded 233 times.

goto http://techfocus.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19

to block the wankers from your website

There is more you can do to not be sued by the RIAA than the EFF link lists.

If you use the Kazaa network, uninstall your current version of Kazaa & replace it with Kazaa Lite K++. It has no ads, allows you to block suspected RIAA IPs, and allows you to prevent other people from viewing your Shared Folder (they will see you as sharing nothing).

Otherwise, use FTPs, DirectConnect, IRC, or some other network that actually takes the RIAA effort to infiltrate.

Kazaa Lite K++ link:
http://www.k-lite.tk

An interesting read here...first page or two...
http://www.musicbiz.com/faxblast/070103.pdf

from the above site..
a quote:
"Record Industry Will Accept Negative Publicity
Monday's edition of the Los Angeles Times took issue with this slash and burn tactic promised by the
R.I.A.A. saying the lawsuits could turn public opinion against record labels. Record executives who spoke
with MusicBiz say they don’t believe the public will turn against them and, if that happens, they don't care."
Let's make 'em care!

Very cool, I like this! Thank you EFF!

Code, great article....noticed that the RIAA terrorists have said they're "not really interested in filing 'thousands' of lawsuits as the publicity has hinted." If that's true, then why are they issuing 75 subpoenas a day?
More contradictory bullshit.

PeerGuardian link:
http://xs.tech.nu/

Get it today! You won't be sorry, or bothered by the RIAA and their partners in crime!

If anyone cares, I have opened a pacer account. Instead of everyone having to get one, I will gladly look up info for you (although it does ask for first and last name to look up info). Just a suggestion....I hope no one takes it the wrong way!! Just thought I would try to help.

NEVERMIND.... after I submitted that, it sounds like a bad idea. If you are still interested..post a reply....otherwise, nevermind my post.

I've said this before, but think about it in the context of what's already on this page, especially in CodeWarrior's post.

The initial purpose of the recording industry in general and the labels in particular, was to connect the artists with the consumers.

Today, they say they don't care if the public turns against them.

As an artist, I look at this and see that there is simply no way that a record label (RIAA affiliated, of course) can connect anyone with consumers except attorneys.

Don't know about the rest of the musicians in the world, but from my point of view, this is the last group of people I'd want in charge of my advertising budget. Or my marketing plan. Or my money. And especially not my career.

Fighting the terrorists. Write your congressmen and senators. Over and over. Make them understand. They're all in their home states for August for their alloted "get in touch with the constituents" break.

Get in touch with them. Phone their offices. Fax. e-mail. Drop in to chat.
Protest outside their offices. If I thought there were enough people there already, I'd suggest a public protest somewhere near the White House.

Oh... never mind.

I forgot that we're not allowed to communicate with the government any longer, since we're all felons and criminals.

There's some great posts on www.zeropaid.com from someone who appears to be a lawyer (username "Legalaid5"). He/she makes some strong arguments that the RIAA could never convict any of these people of copyright infringement. It's all about intimidation. I've been saying all along, don't settle out of court. They probably won't sue because they can't win. (That might not prevent them from trying to bankrupt the person with legal fees, of course.)

So if I dump Kazaa and do K Lite, do I lose files I've already downloaded?

MrJoshua: No.

Hey guys I new here and love the sit. N E way. I'm not a lawyer or anything so I was wondering. If I name a bunch of audio files of me saying F*** the RIAA and name them RIAA songs and they take me to court for them can I counter sue? and would I have to worry about them finding my non shared MP3s?

Let's organize a protest... I would go to one in CT and would get more.. hell lets organize on in Washington i like Ziemanns idea. I think that we would look strong if we all get together and do a meaningful protest.

Tryclyde721:

One of the questions I asked Legalaid5 on www.zeropaid.com is whether it is legal for the RIAA, or those who work for them, to run "bots" or programs that troll for copyrighted material on people's computers. My understanding is that if you take any measures to block unauthorized intrusion (firewall, router, etc.) and the RIAA still gets your file information, then they have compromised your security measures and violated privacy laws, and they can be sued.

I've been lurking on this site for quite some time, especially since the RIAA announced its new tactics. I just wanted to say that everything you're doing is great and I am currently boycotting. I just have one question (It may showcase my stupidity, so forgive me): I'm just wondering if anyone know if the RIAA is issuing subpoenas for people whom they've found to be downloading/sharing after June 26th (when they formally announced the beginning of their witchhunt) or if they are using IP's they got prior to that date. Does anyone know? Say, hypothetically, they sent a complaint about me to my ISP back in April, but I haven't really shared using that ISP since then...do you think that because they have all my information they would still go after me even though I technically was not able to heed their waring because they obtained my IP address before they announced they would be filing lawsuits against individuals? Thank you and sorry if this made no sense...

LilacWine:

My understanding is that the RIAA are targeting users who continued to share files after the RIAA announcements of June 26th. If you're worried, just stop sharing files. You can still download.

and if you get sued. make sure you get the press, and you can have your 15 minutes of fame. costly yes, but well worth the publicity.

gavsmom: I am *very* interested, as the RIAA had issued a formal complaint against me back in April. I'm still worried that they might go back and sue me anyways, even though I complied before they made their threats.

Please search (if you still want to) for Chris(topher) Flyer, if you would. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

LilacWine: I'm wondering/worrying about the same thing, even from the same month, April. I already asked Gavsmom to check via Pacer, so we'll see what happens.

I haven't used any p2p programs in a long time, I've been getting everything off newsgroups, heck, access comes free from my isp and downloads are about 100 times faster than I ever got on p2p.

If anybody wants to know more about downloading music from newsgroups send me a note.

Cflyer...I checked and as of today there was nothing listed for your name. **WHEW**

LilacWine :
Everything they have done has been done calculated to give them the best chance in court. The June 26 was "prior notice" of intent to pursue their rights...They made a big deal of it, so I agree that they are probably going after folks SHARING (i.e. allowing people to get into your shared folder and download) since then. It would seem that they are not paying as close attention to their own attorneys as they should though. Apparently their attorneys found out before the 26th, which jurisdictions would be the most friendly toward them, as WELL as the judges that would be best. They also told the RIAA to go after the people with hundreds of downloads to minimize jury sympathy. They also told them to go after middle middle to upper middle income and above, to leave the "poor folks" alone to avoid sympathy. They want to have clear cut wins, because their own shysters told them that if they had people getting off with slaps on the wrist it would be bad news for them.

The one that they said had 5 "representative samples" was probably someone who had kazaa lite and had the function disabled about seeing their files. The probably saw that person had all five files they requested, but couldn't view his shared folder contents and felt he or she must have a big load of files.

Everyone should read the article at:
http://www.musicbiz.com/faxblast/070103.pdf
They say that record execs said they didn't think the public would turn against them as a result of these lawsuits, but if they did, they didn't care. That shows what arrogant, out of touch arseholes are!

I say, let's MAKE EM CARE. Turn record sales for August to damn near ZERO and they will start caring.

gdZiemann made a great point that I had really not thought of. Artists should read the deal about these record execs not caring if the public turns against them and start understanding that having your name associated with the RIAA, before long, may become the kiss of death for your career. Record labels, A & R guys, and the artists, had better get this message and get it loud and clear.
Sorry in advance for my cursing..but..
WE FUCKING HATE THE RIAA AND EVERYONE ASSOCIATED WITH THEM!
And, if an artist says they are for what the RIAA is doing, then I fucking hate that artist, EVEN IF I WAS A FAN BEFORE!

To the artists...you live and flourish according to the fans...you sue and try to turn fans into felons, or have your toadies do it in your name as a copyright holder, we are gonna remember your fucking name from now on!

LONG LIVE FREEDOM. BOYCOTT THE BASTARDS! BOYCOTT THE ARTISTS THEY REPRESENT! BANKRUPT THE MOTHERS!

Well said.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/zd/20030713/tc_zd/44628

Check out the link, what do u guys think, will it make it safe??

Also is blubster safe, i see they havent put a blubster user on the list yet? i think

how do you figure out the ip address of your computer?

SWEET!!! thanks gavsmom!

tom, click on start then run then type in winipcfg

once again the EFF rocks. I'm not found so no riaa issues comming towards me yet!

Mine will never be there and you know why? I don't use a lame P2P client where you need a user name and PW to log in. I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees the gnutella servers for that reason.

Ya know? If the population would just stop supporting the RIAA by buying their overpriced music they would surely go broke and have no money leftover to sue thousands of kids. Why don't people see it this way???

Sigh*

and that goes for overpriced concerts too. By going to a Metallica concert you are aupporting the RIAA as well but nope, no one can live without Metallica who was responsible for shutting down Napster right? Right. So now you'll worry if you're on the RIAA hitlist.

thats "NOT" buying. My error.

Interesting question: In many states, people under the age of 18 can not enter into a legal contract, meaning that the TOS for programs like kazaa are nullified, especially considering most people dont even read them. Isn't there some protection for kids who are getting sued?

Hey, gavsmom, would you search PACER for either Mark Klosinski or Kyle Klosinski? Thanks!

www.k_lite.tk_Kazaa_Lite@Kazaa ..... that username rings a bell..... oh yea, its the user name that ALL KaZaa lite users have by default. No wonder the RIAA is sueing that username... all the people that use www.k_lite.tk_Kazaa_Lite@Kazaa will get sued?? the total files combined from all the klite users must be in the millions....

At a bar-b-que today and we were talking. The subject came up and I mentioned that I have "dial-up" service. My friend (a retired Sherrifs officer, and friend of technology) said that dial-up uses different IP address all the time that there is not fixed assocated (sp) one. Unlike his son who has cable DSL where there would be a dedicated IP.

Any truth to this?

MP3 Is Not A Crime!

hamjay, no, some specific user (or users) with the name www.k_lite.tk_Kazaa_Lite@Kazaa will be subpoenaed. They have IP's, too, but they don't have those searchable yet. Some user(s) www.k_lite.tk_Kazaa_Lite@Kazaa with IP address xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is being subpoenaed, not all of them.

There's a link to eff.org's action page, I'm wondering how many people have clicked that link and taken action. It's hard for me to know how many people are actually taking action on this.

It would be heartening to find out how real our fight really is, or if we're just blowing hot air by saying we're winning this battle.

Most people I talk to think that we're wrong and just don't think what the RIAA is doing is a big deal because they're not downloading music. And I think the reason why most people will side with the RIAA is because they're the one running the ads, they're the ones who own the TV stations and can say what they want on those stations. We have no mainstream media presence. How many people are getting our message? How many would agree with it? In the end, our representatives are the only ones who can actually make a real impact in fighting the RIAA. We don't need symbolic gestures at this point, we need the weight of the american people to push their representatives in government to demand hearings on P2P and copyright. And I'd really like to see how many of us have done this. I'd like to see numbers. How many of us are really in this fight.

I'm not planning on buying any cd's this august either, but I'd like to know (in numbers) how many others are in this boycott.

I'd also like to see a boycott-riaa presence on Kazaa, if they've 2 million people online at any given moment, shouldn't they be aware of this fight, and given a link to the eff.org and boycott-riaa action plans? How many hits would the "contact your representatives" link get then?

Every now and then I have to wonder if all of us are just mumbling in a darkened room to ourselves. I want to see the RIAA sweat under a congressional inquiry. I'd like to know that 2 million people demanded that inquiry. I want the kind of media scrutiny on this issue that the false claims in the state of the union address is getting.

Call me this forum's worry wart.

Paulruss

Sinister:
In one area you are wrong. I have heard that the GRATEFUL DEAD have pissed off the RIAA. What they do is make a digital copy of each and every one of their concerts. What you do is, afterwards, go buy the digital copy for like 20 bucks. In a few weeks they send it to you in the mail. Cuts out the RIAA completely.

Now im not POSITIVE on this or anything, but this is what i have heard from a dead fan whos a buddy of mine. Apparently its some kind of huge collectible of sorts, since they dont play the same songs at each venue, or atleast not all of them.

might be interesting to check out further if yer so inclined. Im more interested in downloading music than going to that trouble. As long as kazaa works, i wont be intimidated by threats over a medium.

Looks like Bill Gates & Company are getting into the act. Check out this link...
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/tcpa-faq.html

paulruss brings out a wonderful point...most people are apathetic until an issue hits them, and there is still some who are pro-big business...
i think as these lawsuits hit more homes, that will change, but, we can use apathy to our advantage. these people who are apathetic are not writing letters of support of the RIAA to congress. they are silent. we MUST NOT be ! The squeaky wheel gets the grease. this brings up a great point, that people have been talking about on this board, but I don't know if anything has been done. Someone (sorry I don't remember who, cause I would give props to the one that said it) mentioned we need a PAC (political action committe). I think we need to do this, and go even farther. I believe, "conservatively speaking" there are MILLIONS of people who are concerned with our issues. You have allegedly 60 million users of P2P, and usually, you have around 4 million people on Kazaa (that of course is internationally). All in all, with the bad will the RIAA is going to generate, we definitely are talking about a sizeable portion of the electorate that will be thinking on this issue. If we can organize a bit more, and send out exploratory feelers to some of the front runners, we can see who is at least making signs of support for us. In the past, I've started a grassroots campaign when some legislation was being sent on the process nationally . It was totally grassroots, and we were up against some big names (such as Orrin Hatch)...we won! Now, one thing I learned was this. When you handwrite a letter to a congressman or rep., the aides who get it, assess the amount of sentiment in the voters back home, by multiplying this by 50, thinking there are 50 people back home who are too friggin' lazy to write, but will vote that way. Xeroxed letters are not as effective, and for those whose handwriting is like mine (next to impossible to read), you can generate it from your computer/printer, but sign it with a pen or pencil to give it that personal touch. We need to get rolling NOW on this. I hope this helps, and I will be posting more on this later in all the threads if folks don't mind.
Love and Peace..
~code~

yoda634...nothing for either name!

WC-Minor:

It is true that if you use dial-up to connect to the internet, you are assigned a new IP address every time. It is possible to have a dynamic (non-fixed) IP if you have broadband too.

Generally having a range of IP addresses is more secure, since you're not sitting there on the same numbers all the time. i.e. A hacker, etc. could jot down your IP if he finds you and he'd own you for life.

As far as RIAA stuff goes though, I am pretty sure having a dynamic IP doesn't necessarily help you.

How do i remove Kazaa from my computor? I need to do that in order to get Kazaa Lite..but i have no idea how to remove all traces of Kazaa first.

on XP, go to
Start-control panel-add remove programs...pick kazaa and click on the change/remove

unfortunately, sherminator is right

YA GOTTA REMEMBER, THESE BOTS /SPIDERS ARE LIKE LETTING GOOGLE INDEX YOUR SHARED FOLDER AND FIND WHERE THESE ARE ON THE NET...

Thanks, gavsmom!

Hello Kitties, Ike Dogg here to give you the real deal. The idea sounds delicious. But, in reality its nasty as hell! For one, Any copywritten material being sold or played publicly must have a license issued by the owner. Which is...? you guessed it, the riaa. The riaa are not going to negotiate with you because you don't own anything. They are going to drag your azz in court and phuck you with no vaseline while the judge hold you down!
If this guy ideal would have been valid, believe me man... they would have done it already!! I have a "Real" file sharing business that will work like a charm & I won't need $2 million dollars to get started. It would be protected from the riaa or mpaa. First and foremost, if anybody starts this business ideal, I will say you got a Big problem on your hands! The ideal has been filed with the patent office of USA! OH YES! Don't steal from me muthafuckas! If you want to be apart of this "No Bullshitting" company, I have contact information at the end of this post.
In October of this year, congress will have the "Fair Use" bill on their desk to pass. So don't forget to contact them to pass it!

Here is my business:
It is illegal to share "a" file with more than one person. Right? Create a data base of users that have "legally" purchased music, movies or software. In this database you will keep the "barcode" number or the "store" receipt number of the legal purchases of everyone. When someone on the database wants to trade a file from someone who legally purchased music, movie or software item on the database. They would search through the database for a person that has this "LEGAL" material and send a request to trade.
Once the person receives this trade request, both parties email each other the legal original "receipt" number or "barcode" number of the legal purchases on both sides. That will GUARANTEE you are not trading illegally because no one has your files! You have to give each other permission and exchange digital receipts proving you got every file legally. A legal receipt would take up approximately 2k. It wouldn't be hard to build this kind of site, plus with the on going litigation from the riaa, people would jump on this quick.

The only down side to this type of trading is that once you trade your "legal receipt" of that music, file or software, you CANNOT offer it for sharing again unless you trade for it back using "LEGAL" receipts of course. This is cool, because once you used the shit you don't want it back anyway. Also, there will be renegades trading without "legal receipts." They will be greased up and poked by the RIAA for sure!

For the people who don't buy original shyt, I say don't worry! You can still trade files from individuals by trading your "OWN" bands music for a digital receipt of their music. You just have to make up your own serial number for your band's music to keep track of it. This would also be a great way for independents to keep track of their music like "soundscan!"

The riaa will try to argue this plan of mine, but I don't think they would win against this type of trading. Simply because, when you purchase music out of the store or net, it is "yours" not a lease or rental. Just like baseball cards. Its not illegal to trade cards is it? No! So by file sharers dealing one on one with each other, it totally destroys the riaa case about file sharing. These are legal transactions between 2 individuals with legal documentation to prove they both obtained legal rights to own the media they are trading. I would like to see them fight that!!! Am I a phuckin' genius or what?

I want all of you to read this 3 times, then put it all together in your mind. Try to picture what the site would look like and everything. I also want critics to try to find a hole in my ideal. First, people will say it will take too long to go through all the processes before you can download files. I say it could be as simple as a person sending an IM message. It will all depend how talented my programmers are.

Guys Im not as stupid as you look!

This is a business ideal of mine for about 1 year. I've copywritten the whole ideal 20 different ways!! So its next to impossible to bypass me! If you want a piece of this email me.

I've been looking for talented programmers to come aboard to help build this shyt. But for some reason most of them were lazy! I guess they don't want to be wealthy. Anyway, before I let loose my press release. Send your inquiries to KneeDeepInc@aol.com. If you are a talented programmer, web designer, marketing, Host Servers etc.. email me with your interest.

Here's an interesting study about the impact of MP3 downloading on the music industry:
http://wwwpub.utdallas.edu/~liebowit/intprop/records.pdf

I don't necessarily agree with all of it. The basic conclusion is that MP3 downloading has hurt the music industry, accounting for perhaps 20% - 25% drop in sales, but whether it will actually destroy the industry (the "annihiliation hypothesis") is uncertain. However, the latest actions of the RIAA, and the backlash (icluding a possible boycott), could chage the situation.

IkeDogg -- Sorry, but my idea is a little better. FairforShare.com

Although starting a physical business venture has slowed our progress a little, our software is about ready to go and we have a ton of music that we haven't even posted yet.

We have free mp3s for legal download. All authorized for non-commercial redistribution by the artists. Totally legal. the RIAA and DMCA do not apply.

As for the artists -- good to hear about the Dead. Blues Traveler has the same sort of deal. They invite bootleg recordings and will actually put the best ones on one of their Indie albums. Marty Balin (maybe Starship as a whole) also allows recording. It is part of his contract and preferential seating must be given to those wishing to record (audio only).

Many artists have had this clause added to their contract riders. Why?

Because they can skip the RIAA and the labels. Production costs are $0 for a fan-recorded bootleg.

There is a huge pile of free live recordings -- all authorized by the artists -- at the Internet Archive.

And don't forget dmusic, garageband and vitaminic. Thousands and thousands of free downloads. Just don't share them unless you know the artists' position.

You can get all the free music you want to listen to and more. Don't buy into the terror tactics. THe RIAA does NOT own the entire music industry. In fact, they comprise less than 10 percent of the market for recorded music.

So everyone is whining and trembling about the threats of a weak minority which, if pressed, will find it very difficult to actually successfully prosecute these cases. There is a thing called the burden of proof, and the RIAA is not even close to being able to jump that hurdle.

If they had any real power, they wouldn't have to go to these extremes.

Microft recently suffered a big court loss that could threaten or delay their implementation of "digital-rights management and trusted systems". This would basically limit what you can do with your computer, including the ability to download music. Here's the article:
http://www.fortune.com/fortune/technology/articles/0,15114,466180,00.html

I don't think I'm alone when I say that I'm a bit baffled that the RIAA and companies like Microsoft are spending millions to figure out ways to fight p2p instead of embracing it and figuring out ways, at little cost to them to make it profitable.

Say for instance that the RIAA mandades that p2p programs run banner advertising that they recieve 80% profit from. Say McDonalds, or Chrysler or ABC run those ads a t $2million a pop. Now before you say, "Chrystler, McDonalds or ABC would never agree to that", think about this, they have a captive audience of 2 million people at any given time on p2p. Running a banner ad then is not such bad idea. Most corporations shell out more than that for primetime advertising space on network television (that people record).

There are so many ways the RIAA can make money off p2p without it hitting the end user in the pocketbook. And it's so less expensive than developing technology or lawsuits to prevent it.

But for that to happen, someone needs to actually work with the RIAA to make that happen. That's why I'm for congress calling for hearings on p2p, so that the process can move from name calling and draconian lawsuits to a cooperative environment, where the RIAA is in a positon to get in touch with and embrace it's p2p consumer base.

contact your reps through the link on this page and eff.org.

paulruss: It appears that the RIAA is not very creative. Here's a great opportunity to make money and they're completely dragging their feet and blowing it. Reminds me of when VCRs first came out and the entertainment industry whined that it would destroy movies. Instead, it became great money-making opportunity for the industry. It even spawned new businesses such as video rental stores. The music industry made the same complaint about tape recorders, ditto radio when it first came out. This makes me hopeful that maybe the industry will figure out a way to make MP3 downloading legal and profitable without alienating the public. On the other hand, we should never underestimate the greed and stupidity of the RIAA.

"I forgot that we're not allowed to communicate with the government any longer, since we're all felons and criminals."

Maybe, maybe not. But one thing is for certain. Not only are felons allowed to run for office, but they win elections. Bill Clinton is an admitted draft dodger from the Vietnam war. Jimmy Carter pardoned him of his felony.

I wish I could commit a few crimes and get a pardon or two. Maybe not even felonies. I think we all would. You'd think it'd be bad publicity if I wanted to get people to hear my political viewpoints and take them seriously.

But here in America, that would actually help my cause. Because presidents help dirty rotten little felons get into office.

Maybe Jimmy pardoned Billy completely by chance. Or maybe there were politics involved. We need to organize a fund and get ourselves some whor..err.. politicians.

"Sir, you are being sued for 1 billion in copyright damages for grand theft intellectual."

But.. we've elected a felon into the most powerful position in the world!

"Shut your mouth boy. Damn teenagers just don't UNDERSTAND THE LAW!!"

"Microsoft suffered utter defeat at a crucial pretrial hearing in what appears to be the highest-stakes patent litigation ever—one in which a tiny company called InterTrust Technologies claims that 85% of Microsoft's entire product line infringes its digital security patents"
http://www.fortune.com/fortune/technology/articles/0,15114,466180,00.html

That's from the site listed above.
If the RIAA can get 250k a song, and sue 4 students for 96 billion when the net worth of the songs and the students combined and then multiplied by one billion (for good measure)is approximately 1.1 billion dollars (max), then Intertrust is easily entitled to at least several trillion dollars.

What if a p2p let you search by a name but the name they displayed was based on some type of coding like base64. I don’t know a lot about computers, shoot me

"I want all of you to read this 3 times, then put it all together in your mind. Try to picture what the site would look like and everything. I also want critics to try to find a hole in my ideal."

Ok.

"It is illegal to share "a" file with more than one person. Right?"

It's also illegal to share a file with even one person.

"They would search through the database for a person that has this "LEGAL" material and send a request to trade.
Once the person receives this trade request, both parties email each other the legal original "receipt" number or "barcode" number of the legal purchases on both sides. That will GUARANTEE you are not trading illegally because no one has your files!"

Kind of like browsing the legally provided music selection at a store and having them scan the barcode and then you paying the money? They already have online music stores. Otherwise, you're just sending reciepts back and forth. And who else would have my files? I'm assuming that with the reciept I would send the song. Meaning they would have "my file." Along with a reciept that won't help when we both go to court for distributing copyrighted material.

"You have to give each other permission and exchange digital receipts proving you got every file legally."

It's illegal to share copyrighted material. It doesn't matter if there's reciepts. Who is getting paid for these songs? If it's not the RIAA, you're in jail. If I bought a cd and gave someone a copy along with my reciept, I am officially liable for a $250,000 fine per song. If the file was wiped from your disk when the other person receieved it, you're still distributing a copy. If the RIAA is getting paid, then why not just use one of the other methods available?

"The only down side to this type of trading is that once you trade your "legal receipt" of that music, file or software, you CANNOT offer it for sharing again..."

Why are you even allowed to share it once?

"Also, there will be renegades trading without "legal receipts." They will be greased up and poked by the RIAA for sure!"

Just like the 871 out of 200,000,000 (give or take a hundred million), that they are greasing up and poking now? That's a whopping 0.000004355% of file sharers. Also: What do you have to prevent piracy in other countries?

"The riaa will try to argue this plan of mine, but I don't think they would win against this type of trading. Simply because, when you purchase music out of the store or net, it is "yours" not a lease or rental."

No it's not yours. That copy is yours and your use of it is regulated by federal law. For instance: if you give away a copy of anything on the cd or the whole cd (in whole or in part) then you are breaking the law. If it was yours, then you could set up a stand and sell burned copies for your own profit.

"Its not illegal to trade cards is it? No!"

It's also not illegal to trade candy bars. However, it is illegal to trade copyrighted music. If you want to trade music legally, with the RIAA behind you, then become a record label.

"These are legal transactions between 2 individuals with legal documentation to prove they both obtained legal rights to own the media they are trading."

The individuals do not own the media they are trading. They own a copy of it. And it's not tradeable unless there is payment to the proper authorities. (see: iTunes)


"Guys Im not as stupid as you look!"

I don't look stupid.

Sorry if I misunderstood anything you typed =)

"It's illegal to share copyrighted material."

Pure bullshit.
What the fuck do you think a library is?

If you want to trade music and screw the RIAA, become an independent musician and use the Internet for the free promotional opportunity that it is.

The only way I want the RIAA behind me is if they are kissing my ass.

Still waiting for them to come after me for posting more than 200 songs authorized for sharing.

But it is not illegal to share copyrighted material UNLESS the copyright owner (read record label, NOT author) authorizes the prosecution of the person sharing.

The U.S Copyright Office confirmed this when I insisted that I did not want my songs copyrighted used to persecute fans. Suits cannot be filed without the consent of the copyright owner.

I say look at the list of songs people are getting busted for downloading -- Avril Lavigne, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Santana. These are the people we should be bitching at the loudest, if only to get them to publicly acknowledge that they are no longer in possession of the rights to their work.

nobody is going to rally or make a million person march against this simply because they don't want to be "outed". meaning they don't want anyone else to know that they download music. the simplest way to let the RIAA know we mean business is to simply stop buying the music altogether. no music buying for the month of august? count me in!!

chopper, I understand what you are saying...but there are going to be rallies...and there are lots of us who are not downloading...you are against this mess as a freedom issue.
~code

For those wishing to do a letter to the editor...or to the local media...
here is one that you can send and sign, or modify for your own needs...no copyright on this...
~code~ (you can copy and paste this)
___________________________________Dear Editor :

There is a major story that will potential affect millions of people
across this country that is not being adequately reported.

On August 1st and 2nd, there are going to be protests across the nation, across the internet, and in other countries. These protests are in opposition to the draconian actions by what many are now calling the RIAA Terrorist Network. Many call it that because it is a group of well funded individuals who have conspired together to cause fear and intimidation in the hearts and minds of citizens around the country, and to ultimately, cause them to sustain great damage.

The RIAA is a large, well funded organization which claims to be representing artists, and
is tying up the courts in the District of Columbia, filing what seem to be little more than abuse of process, using the courts to try to harass and intimidate thousands of citizens across the nation. They are using a law called the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act)
passed during the tenure of President Clinton which many are calling a direct attack on
our constitutional rights. All laws are not just. This is one such unjust and unreasonable law. There are many people calling for either a repeal of this act, or more reasonable changes to be made to it.

In a time where the economy is in the dumpster, where companies are closing and where people are losing their jobs right and left, the RIAA has talked about suing thousands of people, for as much as $150,000.oo PER DOWNLOADED SONG! If their goal was achieved, this would lead to massive bankruptcy filings on a scale that would dwarf the amounts which are already existing.

This story is very important, and is affecting people here, and in every state and every town. Due to the possibly catastrophic implications of these actions by the
RIAA Terrorist Network, I believe that there needs to be fair and balanced reporting of this issue, and that people who are good, taxpaying citizens, need to have their side of this issue heard.

I hope that your paper will not only give some coverage to this event, but that it will provide both sides in this ongoing issue.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

i have been thinking about a few things,like one how are they getting this scanning done for one thing....from being a sys admin and one who repairs many machines most of the usernames look like peeps that really don't know much of the computer world.
and if they don't know much of the computer world then they don't know how to update.
so may be judgeing from the fact that it looks like there just going after the fast track network,mainley kazza is that meaning that they are useing the file access trick from the old vs of kazaa?
if any one recalls there was a hack that would let you put in the ip address and port and it would let you see a list of the peeps files in internet explorer.

i for one have never used kazaa,so im not sure...but i have it on my machine now.and im thinking about trying it out and monitering to see just how the hell they are getting in to peoples machines.

any thoughts on that cw?

Id like to applaude one band, Iron maiden, who i saw the other night. At the live concert the lead singer Bruce Dickinson said that it was ok for the fans to bootleg the songs from the show. Then he continued on by saying that Iron Maiden was all for music sharing and that "If our new album comes out and sounds like sh*t... Like 90% of all records released today, then it deserves to be ripped burned and downloaded, or whatever the f*ck you wanna do with it" Now i know a lot of people will say "who gives a f*ck Iron Maiden sounds like sh*t" but you know what, its just nice to know that there is still one band with a level head out there.

ok found out a few things,and a few fixes for a few others.

KaZaA Advertisement Local Zone Vulnerability

http://support.saber.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=52

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/6543/solution/

http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/7239

http://lists.netsys.com/pipermail/full-disclosure/2003-May/009860.html

http://www.silicon.com/news/500013/1/4351.html

need i go on?

seraph..i don't know the exact mechanics..but they are using bots and spiders,programmed to look for certain songs and names in songs, and I believe, file length as well..the bots and spiders do a search like a human does, and try to get into your shared folder and index what you have there...just like google spiders do...they don't obey robots.txt, so that doesn't keep them out. they report back the IP of the hosting machine and the stuff found, and a human reviews it...at least that's what i understand is basically the way it's done. that's all i know for now...probably others know more about how the spiders and bots initially get in to crawl the network...

warrior, i'm not against anything when it comes to this issue. and if going to rallies and writing your congressmen/women is your cup of tea then by all means...try to make that impact. what i'm merely saying is that a majority of the people who download music would rather not be seen or heard. being seen or heard could bankrupt them thanks to the RIAA. i figure the easiest way to do damage to them is to not buy any music for a month. they cry that because of people downloading music their sales are down 25 - 35%. see what happens when you have hundreds of millions of people suddenly stop buying the music. this is a lesson that needs to be taught.

bah you can't get caught if you don't use anything for a month....im not dling music listing to the radio...not that i ever do...or buying music till this shit is over with.

seraphielx..ditto!

Meh, I'm probably on that list and don't even know it. Since my Napster days I have changed and am now on my third machine heh. So, whatever IP or info they have on mine is null.

Its really simple, don't use a P2P APP that you have to signin with a user name and password. That seems to be what the RIAA is going for.

I ain't never scared.

I will download until the day i die.

they can take there subpeonas and shove them up there ass.

lets make that stock go down.

http://www.zeropaid.com/news/articles/auto/08012003a.php
It's spreading to spain now...
"Legal services giant Landwell says it will prosecute 4,000 peer-to-peer file-traders in Spain because they have been identified as "serious" unauthorized downloaders of copyrighted songs, films and software.

If it goes ahead, the action will be the largest crackdown on P2P users in Europe to date.

Landwell, the legal arm of PricewaterhouseCoopers, earlier this month issued the threat on behalf of clients that have remained unnamed to avoid a backlash by consumers. The company said it had gathered data such as IP addresses on 95,000 file-traders by tapping into P2P systems with older versions of the P2P clients, which don't encrypt such information.

Landwell said it is working with Spain's Technological Investigation Brigade (BIT) on the prosecutions and expects the case to appear in court next month. The action mimics a large-scale assault on alleged file-swappers in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which is in the process of filing several hundred lawsuits against them."

Let em come a knockin. I could use the free publicity.

I have been boycotting completely for 3 months now . Before that , I was not purchasing new CD's. Started that when Napster fell.
I missed p2p at first , till I found INDIES . IT WILL TAKE AN AWFUL LOT OF CHANGE BEFORE I EVER BUY BIG LABEL AGAIN . btw Code , I read that pdf and , correct me if I'm wrong , but did it say downloaders their going after now ?
WABBITMAN

oops should be they're going after

DOWN WITH THE RIAA!!!

If you do support the RIAA, you are supporting the corporate driven government in which the individual means nothing and the dollar means everything, in which the rich get richer at the expense of the poor getting poorer. You are also supporting the type of greedy, deceptive, and monopolistic scum that this world would be better without. As for those of you that choose to remain ignorant and treat the law as something sacred, something that is absolutely right just because it is THE LAW, I hope you find peace in that ignorance because you are just as guilty as those at the head of the corporations.

For P2P stuff, check out these sites:
www.morpheus.com
www.grokster.com
www.limewire.com
www.filetopia.com
www.kazaalite.tk
freenet.sourceforge.net
www.madster.com

Hey peeps, I just turned Kazaa lite on after a few days "laying low" and got a pop-up from the RIAA saying I was violating copyrights, etc. and giving me a link to where I could find out (if I didn't know already) how to disable Kazaa uploads and/or uninstall Kazaa altogether. I was kinda freaked about it so I went ahead and disabled uplods. Anyone else get one of these scary things? Anyone know anything at all about this intrusion?

i dont see my name on there, and true, i have the same name as of 1 million other users do..... so its kinda hard to get me...... but beware.... i have the same name as of all my friends!!! and that will add up to about 100+ in just this one area, and goes to show i have other friends and their friends and so on goes onto the thousands.

Thanks EEF! Glad this news is back on the list cause everyone who learned something from the protests on August 2nd are going to want to check.

Tip of the hat,
Captain C

to maddawg15,

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you are saying. Even if you lived in New York city, and everyone in the big apple used the name "the big apple file sharer", the supeonas would go the IP address that shared files.

If you want to boycott them, start by turning them off by not sharing them. Go a step further, don't download that crap, it is bad for your harddrive. Want to keep going? Don't go to a movie if it has a RIAA sound track.

This reminds me to submit a list of things to boycott, where the RIAA gets paid, to the founders of this site.

Anybody have a list of the geeked pop tunes that they're sweeping for? I ask this because I'm wondering if the songs snooped for by said artists know are aware for the huge backlash they're going to get.

Plus, has anyone thought of the possibility of filing numerous complaints to the Federal Trade Commision like the '3 Tenors' case? Maybe if a huge number of complaints filed would get media attention.

I wonder if it'd be possible to file a lawsuit against the RIAA to get money back for all the crappy songs on the CDs I've bought, just because I wanted one or two songs. Maybe that's something we all should do!

it's about time they got the ip address search up, thank you eff.

Alot of people talk about alternative p2p programs. No one has yet to mention Soulseek. I've been using Soulseek for going on a year, and I've found it to contain the best indie music scene on the internet. Soulseek is set up like a community with chatrooms by genre. You can find the most mainstream music on soulseek, as well as extreamly hard to find stuff (i found a few rare vinyl rips on soulseek). The most beneficial use of soulseek is that a user can have a buddy list and message other users easily, but also restrict file sharing to just people on your buddylist. You can create a list of trusted buddies to share with, and meet more in chatrooms. As a rule I only share with my list, but I add whoever i download off of to my list as well. I recommend it to everyone who's not too computer illitarte to use anything besides kazaa. www.slsk.org

eaglesniper, I have read in a couple of online sources (one of which was BBC News) that at least one person using Peer Guardian has been served. So still be careful.

Has anybody read this on Philly Burbs. It has some info on what the RIAA has spent money on. Also how much they gave to Republican Party & Democratic Party.
I put the address below.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/211-08042003-135854.html

negatyve:

I'm a Soulseek user as well. (I like at lot of obscure 60s/70s stuff.) Like you, I use the "user list" feature. I only share with people I choose. This seems like a reasonable compromise to protect against being identified by the RIIA snoops while still being able to share files with others.

PeerGuardian should only be considered one of several measures to protect yourself. It's not sufficient by itself.

well the thing is..... if i have the same name, not only do i change my mp3 directory to an empty one, i also turn off sharing, i turn off upload, i turn off 2 other features that allows ppl to scan my computer, and on top of that i bump up my router/firewall thing.

You can also check your computer's vulnerability at the following website:

https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

meh, I've changed machines, have a new ISP and a new IP so, I can't check to see if I'm on their hitlist. Hmm, wonder what they do in cases like mine?? And Ive been sharing for well over 5 years.

but, if you turn everything off then what's the point? It means, that YOU ARE afraid of the RIAA. Also, freeloading is not cool.

Use Soulseek. You have the option of sharing files only with people you choose.

Apromise to the RIAA. Put me on a hit list and I will enjoy picking you and your fucking lawyers off one by one. ok?

gilbd
....GREAT ARTICLE@!!!!
"The RIAA's 2001 tax return, which cover its activities from April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002, shows:

While the association made $721,000 by handing out gold and platinum albums to top selling recording artists, it made $9.5 million by prosecuting music pirates and recovering lost profits.

All of that $9.5 million was handed over to the record labels affected by the pirates, according to Deborah Moore, the RIAA's controller.

"We're pursuing the rights of the labels, not the artists," Moore said. "They (the artists) are paid based on what their deal with the company is."


The exact amount it cost the RIAA to recover that money was left blank and Weiss did not respond to questions about it. Moore said federal tax rules did not require that much detail because donations to the RIAA are not tax deductible.

However, the tax return says RIAA paid $2.7 million to IFPI, an international antipiracy group; $1.2 million for "investigative support," $546,000 for "evidence collection/storage," $539,000 for "online monitoring," $61,000 for the "Secure Digital Music Initiative" and $47,000 for "antipiracy projects."


The association's biggest single expense, by far, was for legal fees - $16.7 million.


The association also spent $1.7 million for "governmental relations projects," $1.3 million in "federal legislative support," and $480,000 in "state legislative support."
The association also has a separate political action committee (PAC), which doled out more than $630,000 to federal candidates last year, federal election records show. The PAC also pumped another $535,000 of "soft money" into the coffers of the Republican and Democratic parties, up from $392,000 it gave to both parties in 2001.

With all that money came influence over the copyright act and the political will to enforce it."

This just underlines my belief that there needs to be a formal investigation by the government of all aspects of RIAA's activities for possible organized crime activities and possible prosecution under RICO.

Last note...I don't care what the alleged dip (13 per cent or whatever)in Kazaa users are, I predict that the drop in CD sales is going to dwarf the drop in Kazaa use. Fluctuations in usage of any system are normal. And, with the subpoenas and illegal actions by the toadies of the RIAA, 3-4 million people at any time is about what it was before this mess started.

I am just wondering... if someone should be a target of the riaa, could they not just dump their virus protection, pick up a quick virus and say that "wow I didn't realize I had a trojen virus on my pc. It must have let some hacker use the pc to access the net and download and store mp3's and other files on my pc." Why not play dumb? Is this really silly? Could this be a defence?

lmtc: There are some problems with that defense. First of all, could a virus log on to a P2P file sharing network and share files? Let's say it's possible. OK, where do you get a virus that will do that? If you don't settle with the RIAA go to court they'll probably get a warrant to take your computer. If you don't have said virus they'll know it. I suppose you could say that you deleted the virus. It's a stretch but it might work.

If I understand correctly, they are only going after (for now) those people who are mass distributing/hosting the music files being shared/swapped. So, to stay out of that category, just move your music/video files from your shared folders, and keep downloading!!

Side note: It's all going down hill soon anyway. The corporate conglomerates and music moguls have realized they want the same thing (market dominance - money) and are developing ways to “control” the elusive P2P technology as we know it. At the moment, at-home innovators, fueled by anti-Microsoft angst and “Not All Who Wander Are Lost” bumper stickers still play a part in the sculpting of the digital medium. But for how long? *silent pause* How long indeed… LMFAO -- I’m just talking out of my arse.

Hey, I ran winipcfg and my IP address said 0.0.0.0. Anyone know what that means??

No idea SHADOWKNOWS....i am behind a fire wall and mine shows 4.0.0.0 every time i log on to net using dial up...Hey Does RIAA has juridiction to sue people if they are outside US say....Russia or China etc.

how do u find out what your ip address is?