Grokster president Wayne Ross, currently in the UK on a mission to persuade European record labels to license music to it and other p2p services, is reporting the music labels to the US Office of Fair Trading, claiming unfair business practices and restraint of trade.

Rosso says European record labels are refusing to consider licensing tracks to p2p file sharing services.

"It's clearly a cartel in violation of competition laws," he's quoted as saying in Britain's GuardianUnlimited.

"We've tried to negotiate with the record labels. They leave us no choice but to protect consumers and ourselves from these grievous practices."

He told us he's in London, England, but on his way to Ireland.

We'll be talking to him when he's back.

Good.

Guys, we really need another call to action.

R0dR0ddy suggested in the last article that we contact CourtTV and request that they air the PacBell vs. RIAA hearings in September.

I think it's awesome that Grokster is fighting for us. I think we need to do some fighting too. Even if it seems like our power is limited.

If CourtTV recieved enough emails from us (and it probably wouldn't take that many), I'm sure they would show it and it would be a great way to:

1. Get details ourselves without much media in the way. Just raw facts straight from the mouths of those who said them.

2. Begin bringing this issue to the public's attention and into the mainstream media. Most importantly, bringing this to the public's attention enough that our side will also be heard.

Here is a link to contact them via form
http://www.courttv.com/contact/
In the top box click "request a trial."

I know at least a couple people read and enjoyed my post yesterday venting my frustration about this. I'll say it again: This is a great place to come to speak our minds and come up with ideas. But nobody cares if a bunch of people are walking around with ideas in their heads or constantly exchanging the ideas with other people who have the exact same ideas.

We need another call to action, whether it is this or not. I don't understand the point in voicing passion for an issue, and then sitting by idley while others destroy what you are claiming to stand for. Just because we aren't all powerful doesn't mean we don't have influence. And anybody that's been here for a couple of months now knows that very well. We can be as powerful as we choose to be.

Please:
http://www.courttv.com/contact/
And/or make your own suggestions.

Thank you Grokster.

Done!

And first post!

or so I thought

This is very cool. The more pressure on the record labels, the better. Can you imagine what they must be paying in lawyer's fees? Also, I was thinking, a lot of these labels are owned by parent companies that are into publishing, broadcasting, cable, electronics, etc. If the revenues of the recording divisions start falling off a cliff, one possibility is that the parent companies would just sell them off, or merge with other labels. It could just be a slow consolidation of a dying industry. A lot of people on Wall Street avoid the recording industry like the plague. They know they record companies are in trouble.

Ok, TheSherminator, I did my part and sent a programming suggestion to Court TV. However, I doubt they'll actually broadcast the trials since they'll be considered too technical and a snoozer compared to murder and rape. What we can hope for, at least, is that they start reporting on the progress and outcomes of the upcoming RIAA trials. Keep in mind that Court TV is just one reporting venue. I've also written dozens of news outlets in the past, as well. The squeaky wheel gets the most oil.

If we all write to Court TV letting them know that over 60 million viewers would be watching this trial..it just may happen! I put in my two cents worth to them...

got your back TheSherminator...
let's all let Catherine Crier and the rest what high ratings the RIAA trial will bring them..
-bulk

I agree, the needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few. 60 million people definately sounds like 'many' to me.

ok, sorry in advance for this off topic idea

it seems there are many "musicians" and others that are spokespeople for various other companys... way back I think the the 80's Michael Jackson (ugh) was in Pepsi commercials... There are many more... what if we, in addition to boycotting RIAA products also boycott RIAA artist sponsored products too. It seems like that may be the scream that gets our voice heard. In the words of Twisted Sister "WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT!!!!"

Bishop Desmond Tutu (Human Rights Activist) said "Freedom and liberty loose out by default when good people are not vigilant"

We need to scream out at the top of our lungs, to our fullest capacity that the atrosities that are unfolding before us are unacceptable. Boycott cd's, radio, tv, movies, artist sponsored products anything and everything remotely connected to the facist RIAA. I truely believe this can and will work. They can not take us all to court. They can not stop all 60 million of us.

Our US Government is slowly stripping all of us of our constitutional rights. The RIAA (which obviously funds our government) is just the latest strike at our rights. We need to stand up and fight this with all we've got.

One more final quote from Voltaire "It's dangerous to be right when the government (or those controlling the government) is wrong"

We need to take back control of our government.... take it away from big business... and we need to take it back NOW!

BadGuin

Both of you - thank you.

You have a good point, IFeelFree, that it may be a snoozer. I didn't think about that. But there are a lot of potential viewers out there. The murder/rape crowed may switch, but others will tune in. I also agree about the news outlets and how it's impossible to get this stuff televised. I think CourtTV is the logical starting point.

Pepe - That's the kind of attitude that's invaluable to any cause. Thanks.

It may or may not happen. I'd love to read more ideas by everybody else. I know you probably want me to shut up, and I will as soon as everybody starts shooting off ideas like they were 3 weeks ago.

Thank you. I hope everybody else does the same.

Bulk - Thank you very much as well.
Badguin - I agree with you. You sound like the kind of person that may enjoy browsing around at http://open-gov.media.mit.edu/ . Inspired by TIA, it's G(overnment)Information Awareness.
We definitely need to stand up and scream. That's how I've been feeling, especially the last few days. I enjoyed your post.

Speaking of posts, I'm done harassing you guys for awhile. Thank you.

Don't forget to do your part. We're all in this.

For anyone who has been lazy about writing your congressmen, here's a good site that has an easy way to do it:

http://www.digitalconsumer.org/fax.html

They have the letter already written. All you do is add your name and zip code and hit enter. They figure out who your representatives are based on your zip code and fax them the letter. No excuse now!

Done. I liked that letter. Thank you, IFeelFree.

I think the call to action idea is very much something in need. A boycott means nothing if we can not keep the RIAA from writing off the losses to file shareing. Everyone needs to know that there are people out there making it a point to see them loose money. Their ways are why they loose money not just or if at all because of file sharing. A boycott can make or break this movement. If it is a silent act then we have done nothing but harm the cause. If we can give the world an acurate picture of where all the music industry's losses are realy coming from then and only then will it work for us. Also we need to know why we fight. If its for selfish want of something free then nobody that can make a difference will care. If its to keep and regain our freedoms and right to be treated with respect as consumers then we stand a chance of holding the respect of others.

This is something that I thought puts a little perspective on the RIAA suit.
EFF has issued an action alert pursuant to DirecTV's latest action..read more below:
"* Action Alert: Stop the DirecTV Dragnet!

Satellite TV giant DirecTV has sent ominous letters to an estimated 100,000
individuals, accusing them of purchasing "pirate access devices" and
threatening to haul them into court for stealing television channels. The
letters tell the unlucky recipients that the prospect of an expensive legal battle will go away if they pay up, usually to the tune of $3,500. Yet, in too many cases, the targets of the letters never intercepted DTV's signal; they're only guilty of owning smart card technology. This dragnet is catching innocent security professionals, hobbyists, and entrepreneurs.Without proof of a violation of law, DTV's unsubstantiated threats to sue
are an abuse of the legal system.

As if that's not bad enough, DirecTV has filed over 9,000 lawsuits against
purchasers of smartcard technology, employing an army of lawyers to squeeze even more costly settlements out of individuals nationwide. Ask your Members of Congress to initiate an investigation into DirecTV's misuse of the law and blatant disregard for the public's right to use technology."

Folks, this has gotten out of hand. There needs to be some serious investigation into these media companies. This has got to stop.
To hell with DirecTV, the RIAA,MPAA and the rest. Suits? NOT WITH MY MONEY YOU DONT!
-bulk

ConsumersAbyss - I agree completely. There is a whole lot more at work here than P2P and pirates (yarrr!) downloading songs.

Also - I would like to organize some kind of flyer campaign. I am fiddling around with some HTML now (just so it looks nice). I will have the Boycott-RIAA sticker at the top and some general information. I plan on freezing the image and posting the .gif or .jpg online so that we can ALL download it and print it out and hand them out. My first idea is to stick them on mailboxes in my neighborhood. Perhaps a Two-Night campaign. One general flyer/interest grabbing, then one more the next night with more information.

If I have support please let me know. Also, I'd love any ideas pertaining to any aspect of it, or if anyone wants to make their own.. kick ass, since I need all the help I can get (I'm very busy and in the process of moving).

More action is essential, or else we will have nothing to fight for soon.

Damn Bulk, I guess I'm gonna have to fire up the old Cband sat dish and tap into the direct feeds again........ for FREE and stop paying for those 500+ (or whatever it is) channels I dont watch or I'm boycotting. Just please dont tell me I cant watch the discovery channel.

LOL BadGuin, you GOTS the idea lady!
I heard that, with all the potential money to be made, the PREZ and his side kick, the real Slim Cheney, may be sending out letters to 300,000 million of us, claiming that there MAY be evidence linking us with terrorism, of course, just a little sumpin' sumpin' in an envelope could make it all go away...course, that's just a rumor I heard on shortwave from Japan.
You never know about those things....
-bulk

Check this out.... from signonsandiego.com
"Within five minutes, if I can get hold of her, this will come to an end," said Gordon Pate of Dana Point, Calif., when told by The Associated Press that a federal subpoena had been issued over his daughter's music downloads.

The legal papers required an Internet provider, Comcast Cable Communications Inc., to hand over Pate's name and address.

Pate, 67, confirmed that his 23-year-old daughter, Leah Pate, had installed file-sharing software using an account cited on the subpoena. But he said his daughter would stop immediately and the family did not know using such software could result in a stern warning, expensive lawsuit or even criminal prosecution.

"There's no way either us or our daughter would do anything we knew to be illegal," Pate said, promising to remove the software quickly. "I don't think anybody knew this was illegal, just a way to get some music."

Pate was wavering whether to call the RIAA to negotiate a settlement. "Should I call a lawyer?" he wondered.

The RIAA's president was not sure what advice to offer because he never imagined downloaders could be identified until Internet providers turned over subscriber records, as the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act requires them to do.

"It's not a scenario we had truthfully envisaged," Sherman said. "If somebody wants to settle before a lawsuit is filed it would be fine to call us, but it's really not clear how we're going to perceive this."

WTF?!?!
supposedly this is supposed to be about all their "lost" money..... here is a guy, scared shitless because of their facist intimidation, wanting to give them money to make them go away and they dont know what to do? GIVE me a break! Sherman really is the idiot he trys to be. What ever happened to thinking things through? Proving what I've been saying for years.. We ARE surrounded by idiots!

Voltaire said "I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous' And God granted it."

Indeed He did!

BadGuin

Great quote!
My favorite one is from Bugs Bunny who looks at Elmer Fudd with disdain and quips...
"What a maroooooooon!"
-bulk

I saw a bumper sticker the other day :

Speak your mind... even if your voice shakes

hehe

If you want to read a real hum dinger of a letter read this onehttp://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/userletter/?letter_id=39269611

Does any body have a list of congressional people or rep's that support the RIAA's stand

I would like to sent letters to them also!

Called Court TV, since the email thing kept giving me errors ::

1.800.COURT.56 (1.800.268.7856)

I think even the 5 or 6 people here should be enough to get CourtTV's Attention, i mean i don't know any people who have requested a trial before, much less watched CourtTV for more than a single show or two.

we all tuned in for the OJ thing, didnt we?

Bulkeraser,

I'll tell you why groups like the RIAA DirectTv and others are doing this its called DMCA pure and simple.. It is SSSOOO vague its pathetic and they figure they can get judges to see thier way of looking at it.

Also Lexmark is sueing using the DMCA act they are sueing a third party ink cartrage maker since the Lexmark cartrages use a computer chip they have interpreted this to be reverse engineering as forbidden by the DMCA.

Until the DMCA is struck down this is only the beginning of this type of tactic. Smartcards have been around forever and yet all of a sudden DirectTV wants to sue over them? Should use dishnetwork technolegy then huh? Since there are no open market smartcards made for them.

As for why no media will touch the story is again compamies merging this should not be allowed as its a conflict of inrterest, how can you get a plce like CNN or someone to cover something when the parent company also owns a record label and doing so would be cutting thier own throats now wouldn't it?

How many companies are in the AOL-time Warner group alone? As long as these groups are allowed to buy up everything in site you'll never see your side of a story in print because that media's parent company more than likely owns the other company you want investigated and it AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!!!!

Not sure if anyone saw this..if you did forgive me, but it's an interestng post from USAtoday.com

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2003-08-12-riaa-follow_x.htm

Will see how this law suit goes, the first of the publics fighting back...

Why do these links never work here? Here's the whole article...sorry...go Ballard!


Posted 8/13/2003 11:43 AM Updated 8/13/2003 11:43 AM
Alt Text
Today's Top Tech Stories



Recording industry's subpoenas met with legal challenges
By Mike Snider, USA TODAY
As the record industry's campaign against home music swappers expands, legal challenges are building as well.

The Recording Industry Association of America has filed more than 1,200 subpoenas since July, and court clerks are seeing more every day. The subpoenas seek identities of home users accused of copyright infringement.

Now, a Sacramento attorney plans to file a motion this week in U.S. District Court in Washington on behalf of one of them — the first legal action by an individual targeted in the RIAA's campaign.

The argument is a new one in the increasingly contentious battle over the blizzard of subpoenas being served to colleges and Internet service providers: Just because a user's PC has music files stored within a peer-to-peer file-sharing program doesn't mean the user is illegally distributing copyrighted material, says attorney Daniel Ballard. Distribution implies sending, rather than leaving something where it may be taken, he says.

"It is an assumption they (the RIAA) are making," says Ballard, who will file a "Jane Doe" case for a user whose personal information has been subpoenaed.

The RIAA wouldn't comment before the motion is filed but said it asked the court to force ISP Verizon to turn over the user's information, after which it would discuss any issues with the individual.

This brings "another dimension to the fight," says Fred von Lohmann, an attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which is leading the battle against the record industry's targeting of individuals. "Actual subscribers have a perspective that has so far been absent."

The RIAA says it intends to file hundreds of lawsuits against the biggest offenders, starting later this month or in early September. A federal judge in April ordered Verizon to supply identities of customers accused of sharing copyrighted files, a ruling that set off the flurry of subpoenas. Verizon is appealing the decision; a court date is set for Sept. 16.

Other recent developments:

• A federal judge ruled late last week that RIAA subpoenas issued in Washington, D.C., to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston College were invalid. Both schools argued that the subpoenas should have been issued in Massachusetts and that they did not have sufficient time to respond. Columbia University filed a similar motion last week.

• Earlier this week, the Net Coalition, a group representing dozens of ISPs, sent a letter to RIAA president Cary Sherman questioning the validity of its campaign. In addition to the cost that ISPs face in complying with the RIAA subpoena process, "we are concerned over the broad implication of turning over all this personal information," says executive director Kevin McGuiness.

• Two weeks ago, Pacific Bell sued the RIAA, differing with its interpretation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the 1998 law that eases the subpoena process when used by copyright holders seeking to halt infringements.

On Friday, the RIAA filed a motion asking the court to enforce subpoenas sent to Pacific Bell and the parent corporation, SBC.

• The RIAA has sent copies of its subpoenas to the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Chairman Sen. Norm Cole- man, R-Minn., demanded information about "this barrage of RIAA subpoenas," saying he was "concerned about the potential for abuse" in the subpoena process.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people who have been notified by their Net providers that their names have been subpoenaed are anxiously wondering whether, or when, the RIAA will sue them.

Heather Gillette, 23, of Revere, Mass., has removed the 3,000 songs she had on her PC. Based on the RIAA's statements, Gillette figures the group could seek more than $2 million from her.

"It's unrealistic, but I definitely freaked out," she says. "The fact that they can go see what I've downloaded bothers me to begin with, but to actually go ahead with (a lawsuit), I really hope not."

I have noticed John Conyers and Howard Berman are only posting 19 of the public letters on the www.congress.com site. As soon as I posted my letter (for public viewing) it was removed rather quickly! I'll bet they are getting flooded with pissed of people!
and they don't want those letters where people can read them. hahahahahahah

Congressmen and Senators are good, but focus on the ones who are deepest into it.

The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is a great place to start, along with the Federal Trade Commission (the governmental branch who has already filed several successful antitrust cases against the RIAA) and the US Dept of Justice Antitrust Division.

These are the people most likely to respond with action to a flood of complaints. It is their job to police these sort of things.

A single state senator can manage to ignore some of us, especially those who do not come from their state (although I have heard back from senators NOT of my home state), but the FTC, DOJ and Senate PSI are supposed to work for the entire country.

The DOJ and FTC will answer complaints of antitrust -- or at least acknowledge them. The PSI also actively seeks input on pending, active and potential cases.

These offices must be our primary focus at this time. Until now, we have also been using a shotgun approach to our protests, which makes us no wiser than the RIAA. If we fine-tune on a few strategic committees and federal offices (like the three mentioned), I think our campaign will be more effective.

Aim it as those who are most likely to do something.

yfoogsittam - You kick ass for calling CourtTV. Thank you.

Thank you to everybody who contacted CourtTV. If you still haven't, you can do it right this second, and all it takes is about 2 minutes depending on how much you choose to write.

Phone: 1.800.268.7856
Web: http://www.courttv.com/contact


ISP-Privacy: That letter was awesome. It wasn't very well written, but fortunately 90% of his letter consisted of raw copy/pasted data. I enjoyed that thoroughly and have it bookmarked.

Copyright laws are ridiculous. That girl is lucky if she gets a 2 million dollar fine for 3,000 songs. According to copyright laws, which the RIAA is abusing anyway, she is liable for $450,000,000.

She could fund almost 6 wars in Iraq with that. But instead she would owe Cary-sue that much for downloading christina aguilera & co.

gdZiemann - An organized effort aimed at the FTC and DOJ is something we definitely must do.

I would estimate that, if I lived in the US, I would now have infringed enough to be fined at least a few trillian dollars. The fines for copyright infringement were intended to stop people trying to make a profit, not as fines for p2p users who make only trivial infringements but a lot of them.

Oh, Wayne doesn't stand a chance here. Still, cant hurt to try.

I suggested that court TV air the hearings...I don't have cable though...hopefully I'll be able to watch it at a friends house or something...but you guys have one more letter to them, on your side!

IFeelFree...
Thanks for the previous post on the representative fax. I live on the border of another state and I sent 1 to each rep (I live in 1 state, my parents in another!!!). Once again, thanks.

well another contact from me,flood them

Here's a good one for you to think about. Lets say for each downloaded song or movie you send the owner of the copyright 1 cent (or say 1 cent for the whole bunch from each artist). Would you technically be in breach of the DMCA? You are paying for the use of the property, even though in the minds of the RIAA/MPAA it probably is not enough. Then, any lawsuit becomes a what is the true value of a song or movie (not a violation of a federal law). You could then argue that outfits that send you so many CD's for 1 cent determine the market price. For all of you that bought a $18.00 CD for one song, this would make sense.

Just food for thought,

Note to Ifeelfree and the SonOfLiberty:

You MUST be 18, AND a registered voter. Otherwise your representative will pay no attention to you.
It doesen't hurt if you are a declared Republican or Democrat.

Special note to SonOfLiberty, are your parents of age that they can join AARP? I wonder if a well written letter in their publication would scare the retirees to action if they knew that some group was out to put their Grandchildren in jail?

does anyone have the exact email address to the FTC and DOJ to make comments about the RIAA.... is there one place that everybody is going to make comments? like congress.org? or do we use the standard form they have on their web site ? I think I covered everyboby on the Permanent sub committee. THANKS

Also are email chain letters legal? or is there another way we could spam everyone?

I wrote courTV yesterday (Aug16) and again today. I'll probably keep writing them for about a week.. it's weird, but I've noticed that ONE letter each from seven people is good, but 100 letters from 8 people can be bettter.. guess we'll see.. good idea sherm.
ttmmm

The DMCA is a political reality brought about by a bought congress. What allowed congress to be bought. Money..and the silence of the people. I am saying be silent no more. Continue to boycott..you don't have to post to do this, but encouragement on this site helps, so thanks to all of you for the continuing discussions..Speak with your dollars. Discuss with friends and organize in small groups to take local actions..like minds put together produce like actions...ask Rosa Parks. Speak with your actions...Most importantly, and I am going to say this more and more, utilize the basic right you have in this country to effectively get your congress back. It IS political, you know, and you can can change it. Now. Register to vote, then take your and PULL THE LEVER. SPEAK WITH YOUR VOTE.

ARE YOU REGISTERED AND READY?

...and one more thing. Speak with your dollars. Each of these sites deserves our support with a little contribution..look how big they are, how active they are, how hard some folks are working to provide us with an intelligent platform that stays up all of the time. Takes money, folks, give it. Dmusic, Eff, Boycott-riaa, or any other site you are a member of would not be there without it.

Who cares if spam is illegal. The way I understand it is, if it's for...

1. Porn
2. Viagra
3. A Home Mortgage

...it's completely legal to spam everyone on the planet every single day.

Also, Thanks Remye. I very much appreciate everybody's efforts and support. We need to continue to stick together as we turn our sights on different targets. But that doesn't mean it's ok to stop emailing CourtTV! (do it now! =)

Guys - flooding people probably isn't the best way to do this. If they get 5 million emails, great.. but if it's from 50 people, that would only hurt our cause. No need to be immature about it. Just make sure you don't go overboard.

Surfside - I see what you're saying, but I think it would still be stealing. If you take something from the store without paying full price (leave a penny) you get the same punishment as you would if you didn't pay at all. But it would be nice to bring up the value of a cd in court, because they definitely are overpriced (grossly).

isp-privacy:

I to have sent several letters through Congress.Org and they don,t seem to be getting posted. It's almost as if someone doesn't want the public to really know about what people are saying on this issue and how many of US are making statements about it. This whole thing has definitely been way to low key in the media to the public masses. Too one sided if you ask me. Maybe we should all be writing to our local news agencies instead. FLOOD them with letters from pissed off people!

If local news stations see a large story unfolding concerning this then maybe , just maybe more of our voices will be heard.

I agree with RIGHTOSHARE "THE SQUEEKING WHEEL GETS THE GREASE" You can't go overboard enough! LET THE VOICES BE HEARD!

I didn't mean any offense to anyone when I said not to be immature by flooding & such. I didn't take in the entire context of the posts since I'm in a rush at the moment. I was just thinking of someone sending 20 emails a day to the same person or something like that. I apologize if anyone took offense.

We definitely need to fill their email boxes by getting as many people emailing as we can. And there's nothing wrong with emailing several times until you feel like your voice was heard.

NO OFFENSE SHERMINATOR! I feel to many of us have been to silent to long. And if the letters are not written perfect so what! cut & paste at your hearts desire. were not all scholars (is that the right spelling ?) Oh well its better to be heard....even with bad grammar because you don't have to have good grammar to vote! They look at the votes and then change the views!

I posted this on August 15, 2003

These may be some of the ones we should be wrighting to:


Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations

Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN), Chairman
Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), Ranking Minority Member

Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK)
Senator George Voinovich (R-OH)
Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)
Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT)
Senator Peter Fitzgerald (R-IL)
Senator John Sununu (R-NH)
Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL)
Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE)
Senator Mark Dayton (D-MN)
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR)

Hope this will make it easier. Just go to Congress.org and write to them. Please we need them to know how we feel.

"RIGHTOSHARE" please go back to Congress.org and find the screen that shows all the states of the Union. Click Florida, and read the letter addressed to Bob Graham and Bill Nelson. Both are under Contitutional Rights.

surfside6, I've thought the same thing myself.

Say you ended up with a subpoena, and you offered to pay the artists directly for each of their songs you downloaded. And then the RIAA rejects the offer.

It might make for good media exposure. The RIAA rejects payment because you offered to compensate the artist directly, and it leaves them with nothing.

Eh, we can dream.

Wow, glad to see Sherminator taking some initiative. I think Court TV (just as Tech TV) will cater to the outspoken, simply because not that many people watch their networks.

As for the DOJ and FTC stuff, here's a few pages you want to go to in order to file:
For FTC antitrust information:
Telephone:
(202) 326-3300
Regular Mail:
Office of Policy and Evaluation
Room 394
Bureau of Competition
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20580
Electronic Mail: antitrust@ftc.gov

For a general FTC complaint web form (which I used a few months ago to report a "copy-proof" CD which wouldn't play in my computer or my car):
www.ftc.gov and click on the link at the top "file a complaint".

I am amazed that a gov't agency can be so proactive about consumers interests.

Now, as for DOJ, it's a bit more tricky. Obviously, they're a lot more uptight about their casework since they have a hell of a lot more power. Still, they have an easy way of reporting antitrust violations:

E-Mail
newcase.atr@usdoj.gov
Phone
1-888-647-3258 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada)
or 1-202-307-2040
Mail
Antitrust Division - New Case Unit
601 D Street NW, Suite 10011
Washington, DC 20530

Wow, a toll free number. Imagine their response when they get hundreds of calls from boycotters nationwide!

Finally, after contacting the FTC and the DOJ, read this and smile, since we're gonna win the war very soon.

"Your phone calls, letters, and e-mail messages are often the first indication of an antitrust violation and may provide the initial evidence to begin an investigation." -DOJ website

Is CodeWarrior still embarrased for what he said about Asians? Please don't be, come back, we enjoy your comments. I least I do.

OK, one more thing. Here's the boycott-riaa irony of the day for August 17:
"The Sherman Act prohibits any agreement among competitors to fix prices, rig bids, or engage in other anticompetitive activity." -DOJ website in reference to the Sherman antitrust act passed in 1890

THANK-YOU rOdrOddy

http://www.petitiononline.com
I am glad to see that this petition is finally getting some good action. It was really depressing at first but word is getting out in spite of the "news blackout". All I saw on T.V. lately was Jewel saying how these people(downloaders) were "stealing coins from her purse."
Also, has anyone looked at who is speaking at the educause conference? Take a look. This is where the recording and movie people make their move to take over the college market.
http://www.educause.edu/conference/annual/2003/

Hmmmmm...if all this does turn out to be unconstitutional & the RIAA is forced to drop the lawsuits, does that mean that those people that have already gone to trial & settled get their money back? Or is it grounds for countersuit?

I hate it when artists say they are losing money, and say "put urself in our shoes" most people dream about being in ur shoes, and have mansions everywhere, and have your own private jet, and have women drop to your feet, and have enough money to retire your kids kids kid, man people wish they were in you fukin shoes and jus being able to retire at the age of 20. i say boycott everybody, buy indie

Artists that claim they are losing money are uninformed. They think they're losing money because of pirates (yarrr!) when "pirates" are the one's going to their shows. The RIAA keeps 90% of the price paid for a cd and then, after stealing from the artists, don't even attend their shows.

r0dr0ddy, you're always so full of great information. I would like to see that near the top of the next article too, so more people see it.

Perhaps our topic of discussion in the next article can be an organized effort aimed contacting the FTC and DOJ.

Kudos to gdZiemann. Thanks for the critical info r0dr0ddy.

Hey. Listen, I think TheSherminators right. The more email's we send to courtTV, the more of a chance there is of them playing. Maybe because they know we wanna see it, or maybe because they get sick and tired of emails. Another thing I think we should to is Write letters/email/call diffrent news stations in our area. People dont realize what this issue means to us, therefor, we must get more people involved. I for once will be contacting news channel's ABC, NBC, Fox, and news channel 12 ( local in my area ). I really want to see this issue get some coverage. If anyone wants to help me contact those news channels, post a reply here, and i will post their telephone numbers, email addresses and mail adresses.

isp-privacy - AWESOME article.

Thank you for that.
For anybody that hasn't clicked -

A professor found a method to "crack digital music encryption" and was unable to present his findings thanks to pressure by the RIAA & friends. He filed suit, and even though it's not over yet, it says he will report his findings anyway even if he will be punished under the DMCA.

thanks isp-privacy.

Just because you own intellectual property does not mean you have authority to strip Americans of their rights in the name of protecting it.

I dont know if anyone saw this yet, but i feel its real important, take a look. ( I got it off the RIAA site ) Here's the headline:
U.S. Appeals Court Affirms Injunction Against P2P Svce Aimster for Copyright Infringement
Here's the site:
http://www.riaa.com/news/newsletter/063003.asp

Crap, there's a problem with that like. When you click it, its gunna say "page cannot be found" To fix it, just look up where you type your wed address, and at the and of the url, it'll say http://www.riaa.com/news/newsletter/063003.asp DELETE the ""

YES! VERY GOOD ! The have a short memory on the hand that feeds them!
BOYCOTT THE HELL OUT OF THEM
and Now! the rest of the story!http://www.cs.princeton.edu/sip/sdmi/

I like how they lied and said they never intended to sue the professor!

This just shows you what abunch of scum suckers they realy are! The power HAS to be removed!

I am more satisfied with the content posted under this article than any I have read in the past.

This is great. I'm also very happy with the amount of support I recieved for helping to push R0dR0ddy's idea.

I have gone from infurated, frustrated, and sick of beating my head against the wall to infurated and motivated in 36 hours.

Next up: FTC, DOJ
This one will be infinitely more important. I don't think it's a good idea at all to let up, take a break, or stop writing. If time is a problem, then run off copies. Everyday. . .

if only CodeWarrior would comeback

CodeWarrior had to go somewhere said be back this week sometime

Hill875:
Thanks for the post. I agree with the whole letter. This is the kind of news that needs to be more accessible for the public to view. I hope that the writers comments are taken seriously by those for whom it was intended.If constitutional rights become the focus of whether or not the RIAA's actions are legal it will paint an entirely different picture of them to those that may not be involved in this action,directly or indirectly.
GOOD STUFF.

Count one more email to Courttv from me

I'm starting to love getting involved.. now that I've been reading up and educating myself on these atrocities, I'm telling everyone I know about it and asking they join us in the boycott. Lots of ppl dont have a clue as to what this is all about, I give them all the information I've got. They are shocked mostly at the attacks to our Constitutional Rights. Most just thought the RIAA was going after some dumb kids downloading rap or something and that it wouldnt effect them, I opened their eyes to how wrong that assumption was and will keep on educating anyone and everyone I can.

Out on the front line...

BadGuin

I just sent off more letters to several congressmen. If any of you are reluctant to compose a letter, feel free to "pirate" any portions of this one. If you see any errors, let me know.


I'm writing to ask you to join Minnesota senator Norm Coleman in his investigation of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Over 60 million Americans use music file sharing programs including, at one time, Senator Coleman himself. Now, the RIAA is suing thousands of average Americans for sharing music files on peer-to-peer networks. The RIAA has requested rubber stamp subpoenas against a number of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and forced them to hand over the personal information of thousands of Americans, with only questionable evidence of copyright infringement. The RIAA has threatened lawsuits against these individuals with potential fines of millions of dollars each, putting them at risk of bankruptcy and possibly jail, for trying to acquire the music they enjoy in a digital format.

The problem is that there is no adequate system in place that allows music lovers access to their favorite music while compensating artists and copyright holders. The music industry has rejected all attempts by the companies that operate file sharing networks to enter into licensing agreements. In addition, the consumer is confused by the complexity of "fair use" laws which, for example, allow an individual to record a song from the radio with a tape recorder, but not allow him to digitally record that same song with a computer.

I ask you to consider the rights of privacy, due process, and "fair use" which are being compromised. The ISPs are fighting back in court but are facing an uphill battle because of the biased, draconian U.S. copyright laws, especially the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 1992. These laws give the RIAA sweeping powers to lock down digital content and trample on our freedoms in their relentless quest to track down copyright infringers. These laws must be changed.

Please support Senator Coleman in his efforts to investigate the RIAA and their tactics, and please initiate hearings to reform and update U.S. copyright laws for the benefit of artists, copyright holders, content providers, and the American public. Thank you for your attention to this issue.

As for John Conyers, that'd be one of my Reps, who quite knows just how big a boot this state of very independant, free-thinkin, gun-totin folk is gonna put up his bought-off arse the minute we get a chance.

It's not the only idiotic thing he's done, and it's most certainly not the most blatant case of someone "buying" his vote - politically, he's dead meat, since the populace around here is utterly fed up with the "old guard" of Englers goons, so they're not long on patience with that kind of thing.

So, unless we get stuck with the new(rigged!) electronic voting systems, expect Mr Conyers to pay the ultimate political price for his corruption and stupidy, cause the people of Michigan for damned sure mean to extract it.

He can go back to selling used cars or something...

-user

Here a great one to read: - Elton John

Rights issue rocks the music world

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2002-09-15-artists-rights_x.htm

You may have read it. But they are fighting for their rights.

Concerning the professor's plight with the RIAA trying to stifle his results:

If memory serves me correctly, didn't the recording industry issue a challenge to various teams to crack the encryption, and Felton's team did it in record time?

Once they did that, it embarrassed the RIAA so much, they threatened to sue if he published.

What a bunch of morons.

THAT is a GREAT read gilbd!

Don Henley summed it up the best : "Like all other corporations, the music industry has gotten greedier," Henley says. "It's about profit, profit and more profit that always comes at a cost of principles. The predicament the record industry finds itself in is of its own making. They've alienated consumers and artists, and whether the rights movement succeeds, the house will fall under its own weight."

Yes! Their house of cards is going to fall in on their thick skulls!

Hillary is too blind to see the forest for the trees : Though accused of conniving tactics behind the scenes, Rosen publicly extends an olive branch to detractors. "I'm glad the artists are organizing," she says. "It's good for the industry. We want to resolve our disagreements and move on to other critical matters, especially piracy. We're on the same side in 99% of the issues.

Henley dismisses conciliatory gestures as disingenuous rhetoric and industry claims of dramatic concessions as arrogant and misleading. As for label fears of financial ruin, Henley fires back, "When the record companies make $5 for every $1 the artist makes, I don't see where they get off making those remarks. It's another spin tactic."
"We're on the threshold of a whole new system," says Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. "The time where accountants decide what music people hear is coming to an end. Accountants may be good at numbers, but they have terrible taste in music. I don't know how I'm going to get paid, but I'd rather go out into the brave new world than live with dinosaurs that are far too big for their boots."

AMEN!

Great link gilbd!!! I read it twice, just for the shear amusement of it. I wonder which politician's they are working with. Maybe some well-placed letters to the RAC's list of politicians could benefit our cause.

Averageconsumer: Not quite, but close. The SDMI challence was to break several forms of watermarking and CD authentication technology. Some of these were broken by various groups. However, when they asked for the prize money they were told to sign a NDA. Not too pleased at that insult, and realiseing the potential profit from being a well known security expert with that history would be a lot greater than the prize money, they refused. The RIAA got angry, because if everyone found out about these flaws the reputation of SDMI would be ruined. The RIAA issued threats using the DMCA. It was published anyway. The RIAA now denies ever issueing the threats

goldenpi, thanks for that info. I remember thinking about it at the time the story came out.

They only wanted to see how secure it was, they obviously were never serious about actually honoring the terms of the challenge.

The professor needs to stick to his guns. His team did the work, they need to get credit for it.

If the RIAA doesn't like it, they should do their own damn legwork.

I just thought to let everyone know, that some A/O is trying to send me a Subseven-Trojan. It has happened before when I went to the Congress.Org site and almost everytime I come here. Luckly for me I have a firewall and virus protector installed in my box. I also have PeerGuardian. In case someone wants to know this is the IP of the A/O that tried to send me the Subseven Trojan; IP 141.150.139.182 New York. I hope we are not being targeted by the A/O at RIAA.

I am getting hit with subseven-trojan attacks seven of more times a day. I keep my system updated daily now, and am very concerned.

When I realized, that I was reporting the attacks to the attackers, I gave up reporting the attacks, and the attacks increased to about seven a day. I keep pressing an alternate broadband ISP to service my area, monthly at least. I don't think switching ISP's will stop the attacks.