"If I knew the rest of my life wouldn't be ruined and that I wouldn't have this huge financial thing hanging over my head, I'd stand up to them," Lorraine Sullivan told us exclusively.

"But I can't take the risk."

Lorraine is a college student in New York. She has two cats - TRE and Hamlet. And she's up against the RIAA - the Recording Industry Association of America - and its paymasters, the international record industry, because she's one of the 261 people named in the RIAA's first wave civil sue 'em all prosecutions.

She's apparently accused of sharing 1700 songs and under under US copyright law, could be facing penalties of up to $150,000 per song.

That's why, as she told us, she's decided to settle for an yet undetermined amount and, through her web page, is looking for financial help.

"Like 60 million other people around the world, I've used the Internet to enjoy music," she says on suedbytheriaa.com here. "And now the RIAA and the Big Five record labels want me to pay them a settlement.

"I'd like to resist the RIAA and the recording industry. I wish I could. I wish I didn't have to worry about my future.

"But I'm terrified of bankruptcy. How could I, an already in debt college student, possibly go up against a multi-billion-dollar international industry and survive?"

Lorraine, who's into all kinds of music from hip-hop to John Cougar Mellencamp, offered 1700 files, says the record label mouthpiece. That's a lot. And the RIAA has says repeatedly that it'll nail any individual it can find who's trading in substantial numbers of music files.

However, Lorraine says, she wasn't knowingly trading anything and as far as the downloading was concerned, feels misleading advertising and lack of a clear disclaimer on the part of the p2p company contributed.

"I honestly didn't know about the possible repercussions," she says.

But how could she say that when she offered 1700 songs, as the RIAA apparently claims?

"The real irony is - I didn't even know I was doing it," she says on her web page. "I'd installed p2p software and it went automatically to a folder which stored the songs I'd downloaded. I didn't know it but this folder was also open to the world. It was turned off in the old software."

But what about the 1700 files?

Lorraine says a lot of people had access to her computer and we can confirm that among them, they could easily account for the downloads.

And Lorraine went through the entire 1700 to find the songs she was responsible for.

"I downloaded 108, to be exact," she told us.

Did she inform the RIAA of this when its representatives first told her that she was on the list of people it intended to prosecute?

Earlier, we said she's 'apparently' been accused because she still hasn't received official notification of charges, or anything else, from the association.

"The first I knew about the lawsuit was when about four different reporters left messages asking me to call them about it," she says.

"When I spoke to the RIAA, they threw some numbers at me like $150,000 per song. The man I spoke to was very helpful when I told him I'd heard from a reporter that I'd been sued."

We asked Lorraine how the reporters had known where to phone her.

"I didn't understand how they knew to call me," she answered. "They say they looked me up and found the information."

Lorraine assumes, but doesn't know, her address and other information was on court documents the media were able to access.

Nor does she know exactly what will happen next, although she's decided to settle because she fears the worst if she doesn't.

"Believe me - if I had endless amounts of money, I'd stand up to the RIAA and its lawyers," she says on her web site. "But I don't and so I'm going to have to pay what is to me a fortune.

"If anyone has any other ideas about what to do, I'd really like to know what they are.

"But I don't think I have any other alternative. I have to pay the record industry what little savings I have for having listened to its music.

"I'll cancel my phone and cable, live off of Ramen noodles and use candles - but I don't want to have to give away my cats.

"So, if please help if you can. A nickel, a quarter, a dollar - anything will help. But if you can't do that, send me a message of support. It's very lonely, here."

here you go guys, sue the kids and get mom and dad to pay the ba******
http://www.comcast.net/News/TECHNOLOGY//XML/1700_High_Tech/631c41a7-5ef6-4ba0-9a25-0317382c5fa3.html

Damn can I create a PayPal account w/o having a bank acount. Because I get paid with cash(Im 16) but I really wonna help people who are being sued!

I feel sorry for her....I wish I was rich........

She will probably get back whatever she settles, probably about 2-5 grand. We'll have to see. In the end, the RIAA will loose this one too, and ppl will continue to donate to ppl like her.

She is up to 35.00

Daniel Peng still has 6 grand left:http://m-net.arbornet.org/~danpeng/

directive - the '35' is probably hits, not contributions

Now if i was her, i would have told the reportes I would talk for Money. particualrly for my lawer, court prices, time wasted in the battle ect, and my losses if i ever lost (which wouldn't happen.), Then I would be the RIAA's worst nightmare, I would Attack them where it hurts, get a jury of teens (18 year olds) who use File traiding systmes, or have, and then whip out the speaches, and accuse the RIAA of what they have been soing, I would get national press coverage, and on the day that I won the battle, would be declaired a international holiday, the Defeat of the RIAA.

I donated 8.00 the remainder of my paypal. If you want to express sympathy, email her at Lenabugs[at]aol.com

Don't forget to donate.

This is off-topic, sorry. But I thought you'd like to read it. It seems the 12-year-old girl is getting support...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1896&ncid=1896&e=13&u=/nm/20030912/us_nm/media_music_lawsuit_dc_11

You see what is happening. Decent good living people are baing turned into poor BEGGERS!!!

That is really bringing people to the lowest 'status' in society. Being a BEGGER!

The sad problem is, these people who act like the French when the Nazis stormed into Paris in 1940 (in other words, surrendering without a fight and immediately submitting to RIAA enslavement) make it all the harder for those seeking to fight back, to do so. It is not all that unlike the U.S. "cutting and running" in Somalia, at the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, at the USS Cole et al., after the respective bombings thereof, which only emboldened those terrorists seeking to destroy us -- and may have paved the way for the 9-1-1 attacks. Such folding like a cheap fan only further emboldens the "enemy" and gives them even MORE ammo with which to disenfranchise, subjugate and enslave the masses, and further ratchet up their "jackbooted street-thug" tactics.

It only further underscores my ongoing point about the double standard between rich and poor in our "just-us" system. How else, as noted before, was a judge able to rule Fox News' trademark infringement lawsuit against Al Franken as being "without merit" -- and then THEY backed down -- other than he could afford all the best representation in the world?

Lorraine feared the worst if she didn't settle? Sounds almost like the excuses given by countries who surrender to conquering entities, for their craven caving.

Ya have to agree with da facts.
W-B...with you all the way man.
You got it right!
~code

but, none of us REALLY knows how we would react til we're faced with the actual situation, we can only hope that in all situations, we would act honorably and honestly...
~code

Damage to the RIAA has already begun.
The public is now aware of what's going on. Further lawsuits will simply reinforce the callous image of the RIAA.

Substantial backlash will surely follow.

Take a Stand Against the Madness
-------- Stop the RIAA! --------

If you haven't signed the petition
take a few moments and do it now

http://www.eff.com/share/petition/

I have a dumb question, how does she afford to have her own .com???

i have got a sick feeling about something. There is continuing theme in all these articles. I read about a girl in California. The one thing these people keep saying is I didnt know is was not illegal when i started using the surface.

Think if i was RIAA and could not take down these p2p by suing them myself. Well i would sue the most innocent, poor, old and young users on that p2p. Bad publicity you say. Well its is my legal right to do so, but these poor people were duped into into thinking it was a legit service, and will be upset and start suing the p2p. Now not only do got RIAA(which is big and bad) but also these people(like a 12 year old girl or 71 grandfather) suing p2p. How does that look to the general public who know no better.

dont know if that might be thier intentions but seems plausible, and i keep readind about how these people thought they were using a ligitimate service. I bet you might hear that RIAA might offer them assistance in helping sue the p2p's.

oh well my two cents

ronnie
guitarist from KWIVER

Posters..

Is there a centralized website where we can donate money to all people who are sued by the RIAA?

If you get sued and you take it to court instead of settling, then you can say she was wrong in doing so. As it stands you're standing on your inflated ego to think that you would not settle when faced with a possible $22 million lawsuit at most, or $1.275 million minimum (going by copyright laws). It is $750 to $150,000 per song is it not?

Anyway, don't think you're better than her cause she settled, you can't honestly say you wouldn't have, not until you're faced with the decision yourself.

I emailed Lorraine ...maybe she is cute. he he he he he he

That's the point: You may take your licks if you take a stand and hold firm, but in the end (and in the long haul) you will earn more respect for trying, and for holding your ground. Sometimes the "easy" way out is a prelude to entry into Dante's Nine Circles of (the "H" word), in other words, ending up far worse than before.

W-B i'm with you all the way. And for those of you who have doubt just remember that nothing is ever won without a fight. And the RIAA is in for a good one.

I think a normal person without much money should of course settle with the RIAA to avoid substantial financial loss.

HOWEVER, I would make as BIG of a stink about this to the local news services, tell your story to everyone, of how you were basically bullied by the pigopolists.

In the courts and the law, the RIAA has a lot on their side. The bribed officials and the law that was created by the bribed officials, is one example.

"There may exist a political arena in America, but it is not the teeming convention hall depicted by the pluralists, but rather a restricted club reserved for the wealthy and powerful.

Only those with sufficient political capital need apply. Lacking such capital, most groups in American society have virtually no bargaining power with which to advance their collective interests.

Instead, by virtue of their disproportionate control over the political arena, powerful groups are generally able to exclude the powerless with little fear of political reprisal."

-Doug McAdam, Political Process and the Development of the Black Insurgency 1930-1970

Second question.. does there exist a centralized p2p network which acts like altnet but does not filter a single cent to the RIAA? It would be a beautiful day once the middleman (RIAA) is eliminated for good, and artists connect directly to their fans and get paid for their works?

"Insightful innovation is often met by resistance from mediacore minds"

i++

hey all watch tech tv right now

ooohh and can you guys put what happened at that tech tv thing on the site i dont have tech tv and i would like to know what happens, if you can tell us what happens i would really apreciate it thanks

Yea im watchign the live debate right now, its a joke the RIAA didnt even show up they said..they dont have anything to hide do they? lol

Sen. Norm Coleman from minesota says it is thievery but not @ 150,000 bucks a song.

Good news folks !

We reached the 10,000 signatures
for the 'Stop the RIAA Madness'
petition. But don't stop now ...
Errors need to be screened out.

If you haven't signed the petition
take a few moments and do it now

http://www.eff.com/share/petition/

Keep up the boycott, we are the buying
consumer and our strength is in numbers.
No RIAA music purchases.
This will be our 'Merry Christmas' to
the RIAA.

Watching techTV right now..
RIAA a no show.. big surprise.
I agree with Chuck D..

RIAA, ADAPT OR DIE.

A job for CODE,
you could handle everything to keep it honest

every member of the p2p's should donate $10 to a fund, to pay for someone to fight them. That around $600,000,000 and should cover the cost.

I just saw the petition counter roll past 10000 and it's still going strong! Good job everybody! Keep 'em coming.

"If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately."

We do support the artists in our hard earned money buying concert tickets.

We do support the artists in our hard earned money buying concert tickets.

Hey everyone go to the petition site, even if you already signed... http://www.eff.com/share/petition/

Ok check the number that has signed and memorize it, then quickly press reload on your browser. You will see they are getting 1-2 signatures ever few seconds. YAY

who is john perry typing to? i can see the laptop in his lap...where is he?

It is tragic that people can be duped by p2p software, KaZaa installs so easily, and I forget if it does search more mp3's and suggests to share that directory; or if that was another software...

But people really do need to understand what their software is doing, and who is using their computer and for what purposes. Ignorance does not hold up in court no matter what the situation is, traffic laws, tax laws, etc.

It's a tragic story, help her out, keep the cats fed, and continue boycotting RIAA, but more importantly, help other people you know understand how p2p software works and the possible legal tanglements RIAA can cause, so stories like this do not happen again.

Ignorance doesn't get people off the hook, but it's definately something we can help prevent.

I have to agree with Emenius and Nyer82 with regard to settling. As much as I hate it, I have to admit that, for someone with little or no money it's the only reasonable choice. Unless you can afford a good lawyer you'd lose anyway and that would just be a "victory" for the RIAA. Let someone who's got the money fight the RIAA. That will happen for sure. They might stand a chance. Meanwhile, the sad stories about the people who are forced to settle are winning the sympathy of the public and creating new enemies for the RIAA.

Here's a couple of interesting news items from Zeropaid:

The Beatles management company is suing iTunes over the Apple logo:

http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=internetNews&storyID=3435792

File sharing on the FastTrack network is up 20% in the first 10 days of September compared to August:

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3430812

Honestly, the reason that the RIAA didn't go is probably twofold. Number one, they know at their heart their attacks are bankrupt, and also, Cary-Sue is probably a bit paranoid.
BayTSP had death threats against them.

I have been there off and on for less than 15 minutes. Those signatures are still coming. In that time, the totals rose over 300!

I too have "spread the word", leaving the address at a "popular web site" and a popular hub site.

Poor guys, I feel very sorry for them. Damn RIAA.

I have a dumb question, how does she afford to have her own .com???

As of right now you can build a web sote for free on some servers, they have restrictions but can be done. some cable isp(I use comcast and this is why I stoped downloading tunes, a month before the riaa started this comcast sent emails out stating that they would give over isp adress's if they had to, (but it still beats a dial up, and I was not going to give more money to qwest fpr dsl, that is a different story)but comcast gives with your subscription 25 mb of web space thasoe are two options to buy a .com you can go to sites like (well I wont advertise) but you can buy a .com name for around $8.00 for a year. use front page for your html, and wala a website it is that easy.

Well, as far as this article is concerened, most of us people do not have access to good high priced lawyers, or such... so settling would be the only way around it, then asking for donations to pay for it

... but then again how many more people would donate if instead of settling she took that few grand she's got to pay in the settlement, hired a lawyer, then ask for donations to help PAY for the fight, wouldnt more people be ready to actually put money towards a fight, instead of to the RIAA pockets?

Hey Guys,

Thanks Jon for writing a great article and thanks to all of you for looking at my site (go to register.com and register a name for a site then you can have it hosted for about $4.95 a month if your wondering). Especially thank you guys who have already donated!

W-B--What you're writing is very inspirational. It almost makes me want to martyr myself for the cause. Or MAYBE W-B we could trade identities-sounds like you would behave much more admirably than I have. Just curious though, what exact arguments could I use to defend my case? Even Jane Doe is only defending her constitutional right to privacy--not to download music. SO if I lose this case are you going to be there when and if I have to file for bankruptcy? From the information I've received from different sources in a civil case the RIAA have their case against downloaders pretty sealed up.

Thanks to Jon I am definitely educating myself about these issues, many of which I just wasn't aware of before. Yeah, I sure would rather be a hero for the masses then a coward and a "begger". Realistically having a possible multi-million dollar lawsuit hanging over my head is more than I am willing to take on right now. I wish the other 260 (or at least those who haven't settled) RIAA targets could band together as a group and fight. I am glad that others can read my story and avoid falling into a similar trap themselves. The RIAA isn't going to stop, they've made that clear.

I guess we'll all see what happens--one thing I have learned from this experience is EVERYBODY has an agenda. I just wish Chuck D could advise me personally--I kept nodding my head every time he spoke.

Rain

... but then again how many more people would donate if instead of settling she took that few grand she's got to pay in the settlement, hired a lawyer, then ask for donations to help PAY for the fight, wouldnt more people be ready to actually put money towards a fight, instead of to the RIAA pockets?


I would kick in quick. and I belive every one here would also, but I can only speak for my self. So if any one here is being sued, why not create a web page, heck I'll give you space for free and set it up, I will even pay for the .com any takers want to try??????

RIAA is Maffiosos (Maffia). They steal the money from costumer and don't pay the artist. I say DONT PAY FOR THE CDs. Go to the artists web site and buy from them direct if the suport a boycott against the fat baste* RIAA.
Look a cd costing pennies to pruduce all the way to the store, but we have to pay $15-20 for the CD. In the 70 you could go to the store and buy a album for $2-5 and that did cost much more to pruduce!! To day the same album on a CD cost $15!!! I say FU** RIAA. I hope Everybody starting to P2P. Just to scre* with this basteds!!

Just curious though, what exact arguments could I use to defend my case?

Good question some thing I will think on and get back to you. Or you could use your rights were violated, they were. Or YOu could have talked to a lawer to help you decide what to do or organized your "I wish the other 260 (or at least those who haven't settled) RIAA targets could band together as a group and fight" to start.
Who were your sources that told you
"From the information I've received from different sources in a civil case the RIAA have their case against downloaders pretty sealed up."
I feel that you may have been miss lead.
code what are your thoughts on this?????

Dakota81

Kazaa has a box that you can check so you don't share files. It also has a little note above the box saying "Don't do this."

I looked for and checked that box as soon as I started using Kazaa. All the information is there if you look for it. You can block any type of file searching also (ie: exe, scr, etc.). This is supposed to keep your virus vulnerability to a minimum. As most of us know, exe and scr files are the most popular ways of getting virus to different computers.

Anyway, back to the check box. A person being sued by the RIAA could use that statement "Don't do this." to sue Kazaa. But, my question to them would be, "Do you do everything you're told?"

I am not being mean, but I am concerned when someone give in so quickly. As to what advice you recieved and from who??????

I will donate some cash to your cause

Here's a question that I haven't seen answered yet.

What happens if they sue you in court and you lose and owe them millions of dollars that you will never have?? Do they garnish your wages, take everything you own, throw you in jail, or what??

WHAT IS HAPPENING ON TECH TV I DON"T HAVE IT, ANY ONE???????

I am so angry and frustrated with what the RIAA is doing that I don't know what to do! So desperate times call for desperate meassures.
The other day I received a thank you card from a friend for a wedding gift I had given. Included with this card was a compilation CD of some of my favorite oldies. That's when it hit me. What if we all did this? What if, whenever an artist came out with a new CD a few of us bought it, then immediately burned 10 copies and sent them anonymously to 10 people we didn't know. What if we included a letter informing them of who the RIAA is and how they're trampling our constitutional rights. Then,what if we ask that they burn 10 copies and send them on, and so on and so on. I'm willing to bet that once these artist saw that their music was no longer going gold or platnium; and that they could no longer get on MTV and flaunt their wealth, I bet they'd abandon the RIAA as if it were the Titantic. This idea could also be taken a step further than anonymous mailings. What if boxes CDs with the latest music just started popping up all or the place (ie.) in college dorm lobbies, at the mall in front of music stores, at the grocery store, corporate office buildings etc. I mean every where. I bet the artist themselves would be forced to come up with a new business model to get they're music to the fans. Afterall necessity is the mother of invention. I'm all for paying the artist. I just don't see why I should have to go through the record companies to do it. Especially filthy rich companies that don't mind suing 12 year old girls, single parents, college student, and the elderly.
I've been boycotting since they shut Napster down. I'm glad to see that others are doing so also. However, the RIAA took this to a new level when they RIAA started suing the very public that they depend on for support. The RIAA has a sue them all campaign. What if the general public launched a burn them all campaign. (burn copies of every CD known to man) It is clear to me that we will never beat the RIAA in court; Going to congress won't work either; and trying to be heard in the general media,forget it. Nope to win this war we are going to have to take a step back in technology back to good old snail mail (LOL).

As would i, and countless other people on the net. Just spread your cause/case around the net, get lots of press, and ... it could possibly pay for its self.... assuming you win...

Just remember, you cant judge anyone on the basis of settling, until you get that notice saying 6-7 figure lawsuit or a 4 figure for a settlment, and take them to court.

Well as would i donate i mean. (active post)

Folks, it's damn easy to say what we would do and beat our chests on this site, but code is right, we really don't know. If I was bitch-slapped with a lawsuit it would be a disaster. The best thing (in my humble opinion) right now is to lie low and boycott ALL RIAA products. They are going to lose in the end but you don't want to be a martyr.

Quote: There is only one boss and that is the customer. And he can fire any one of us from the CEO on down simply by taking his business elsewhere.

Sam Walton

I pity the people who got sued by the RIAA. Of course, victims need to act smart. A settlement is understandable. Someone eventually will stand up and fight. Those that don't should contact local media saying, "I've been sued by the RIAA!" Then they can make their case. We can help by donating to help them cover the cost of their settlement. It's unfortunate they got caught. Not everyone is smart with their computer. We have to compensate. We must stand together.

hangtogether has an excellent point when he brings up the quote, "We must hang together, or we will all hang seperately." "Join, or die" - Benjamin Franklin

And W-B is right in saying that victims should use their every chance to publicly denounce the RIAA.

DOWN with the RIAA!

:-:~ PhantomGhost ~:-:

I pity the people who got sued by the RIAA. Of course, victims need to act smart. A settlement is understandable. Someone eventually will stand up and fight. Those that don't should contact local media saying, "I've been sued by the RIAA!" Then they can make their case. We can help by donating to help them cover the cost of their settlement. It's unfortunate they got caught. Not everyone is smart with their computer. We have to compensate. We must stand together.

hangtogether has an excellent point when he brings up the quote, "We must hang together, or we will all hang seperately." "Join, or die" - Benjamin Franklin

And W-B is right in saying that victims should use their every chance to publicly denounce the RIAA.

DOWN with the RIAA!

:-:~ PhantomGhost ~:-:

demon--3012

That is a good question?????, but I dont believe a jury would let them win and that is the trick, you are the defendant and you get to chose if you want a jury and you do, you can even have the venue changed if you feel that the trial may be in a place that is biased. this will get a lot uglier, and the RIAA will look worse for bringing it up, and I feel that the little guy, you and me would not stand for multi billion dollar company suieng the little guy, ppl are giving up to easy and this really worries me.
Giving up your rights to a corporation is not right, no matter what they say they can do. You have rights to just process, against any one and you are innocent until proven guilty.
I am very upset with the RIAA saying that the iv amendment does not apply to them they are a private partt and I say BULL S***, you payed for a law, so you need to live with in the law of the land. Have a judge sign the paper work before you can go any further with you investigations. Why do you not have to follow what the Police or any law enforcment entity has to, why do you get to step on our rights. You are a dead emoireand as the word gets out and more ppl know you will be destroyed by your own greed.

Now this thought just occured to me, what if... you took the RIAA to court, fought your hardest, appealed. Did everything you could, now you owe them 1.5 mil. Maybe... you could pull a OJ Simpson, give all your stuff, house money, EVERYTHING to a very trustworthy person, brother, sister mother, so you own nothing, now you can live in your "brothers house" with "his stuff" just like you did before, but the RIAA doesnt see a dime.

I believe thats what he did in the Brown Civil suit like 5-10 years ago right? Wrongful death or something. Just a thought...

those f****ing ba$tards!!! riaa (Retarded Idiots Association of A**holes)

This settlement deal sounds alot like blackmail or extortion. Give us a little settlement money or we sue you for everything you own.

Making my stuff disappear isn't a problem. My exwife got nothing. Everything just disappeared.

1st, demon the law varies from state to state, I believe florida is the most lenient to bankruptcy, also judgements are usually not discharged by bankruptcy so they will take anything you have title to and sell it.
don't be nieve, the riaa searched for the 261 out of 60,000,000. You are kidding yourself if you think these people were'nt screend fo selection. They would not want to lose a case and have a precedent set for other cases.They may be wealthy or corrupt but the didn't get there by being stupid.
Boycott the riaa Vote biycott all riaa supporters

Maybe off topic but... I watched the TechTV debate tonight which I thought was great, helped to get the word out. Even though I thought the valid question was not answered by anyone about how is it different to record a song off of the radio vs. downloading and listening to it on the computer. I thought of a possible defense for someone being sued in a rural area. When I was growing up I lived in a rural area radio reception was a joke at best, it hasn't improved even today. Most of the time I was reduced to listening to AM radio which wasn't even that great. I understand it does cost money to build towers and equipment to transmit in an area with limited population so return on investment would be minimal. My point being why should the people in rural areas have to pay to listen to the same music everyone else to get the opportunity to listen to music and programming everyone else gets for free? The Internet solved this problem, all of a sudden you could download and experience the music everyone else had access to on the radio. I for one would be willing to pay for the ability to listen to the music everyone else has access to, but alas no such service exits as of yet that fills this void. Now the industry has turned against their income base because they do not understand the new technology or fear they will not be able to make money from it as they have from their existing income base. My answer to this is to join boycott-riaa and give my money to fight them, money which I have very little of to give being the father or two children with one on the way. My only hope is my $20.00 is enough to help in the fight. I can say with confidence that if I am sued I will not cave so readily as some have already because I happen to believe in the founding principals the United States Of America was founded on. I may not be the most educated or most well spoken but I do believe I speak for the masses in what I am saying. How much does freedom mean to me? I am willing to go the distance if it comes to it. How many of you are willing to loose everything for something you believe in? Keep up the fight I'm in your corner! Daymare

We should be more afraid of losing our rights than our money, I will fight them at all cost. I would rather represent my self in a law suit and lose everything than lay down and let some one trample my rights as an AMERICAN. I beleive in what this country was founded on. And I am willing to do time in jail if I can not live on the country that my parents , grandparents and great grandparents beleived was the GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH!!! For if you are not living in that country and afraid of what the man could do, you are already in that jail. And that would be the worst thing I would have to live with.
I belive that the founding fathers of this country set this country up for what I feel, not corporate America, or for the all mighty dollar. The founding Fathers of this country fought the tryany that we fance today
there is no differance, so why lay down, why give up your right to due process, why not take a chance with your peers in a court room. It is your right as an AMERICAN CITIZEN!!!!!!! and your duty to to fight opression and that is what this is. A corporation, that is largley not of this country to have laws placed on your freedoms. WAKE UP!!!! your freedom is leaving you, are you not going to fight for it, please!!!! wake up do not give in show the whole world that we are AMERICANS AND WE TAKE NO S*** form any one.

If the big five never sell another cd they will survive through other ventures, therefore we must boycott all their other ventures. Look at sony and time warner

BOYCOTT VOTE

All i know is Oj Simpson owe's the browns millions, but "cant afford it" and lives in a mansion.... LA or not, seems like theres a way to fight and lose, and not be on the street.

(Though he was found "innocent of murder" browns sue'd him in civil court for wrongful death, and he owe's an incredible amount to them, but cant pay. He is the richest poor guy i can think of)

AlfonsoD, if the music divisions become unprofitable, the parent companies will sell them off. They're not going to prop up dieing businesses for long.

Well I have to say the TechTv Music Wars did not live up to the hype. I guess I was expecting a more in depth question and answer session. For me it was a waste of time. There were a few bright spots, Like when Chuck D called the RIAA a gestapo organization. Other than that and when the girl asked the Record Execs about why the Internet was any different than Radio, it pretty much was a waste of airtime.

Just my opinion...

lenabugs - your cats ROCK!
I have two inside cats and a bunch outside..so seeing your cats right away made you ok in my book!
~code

next person they sue may not have two cats and nothing else to lose...they may have two guns and lots of ammo and nothing else to lose.

Thanks AlfonsoD

By title do you mean house and car? I doubt the 12yr. old girl had either. Some of these people probably have nothing. They live paycheck to paycheck. Some might not be able to afford bankruptcy even if it erased the judgement against you. The RIAA could beat you in court ,but never actually get a dime out of you.....Right ??

LOL..broke as I am, boycotting is one of the things I do best!
I can boycott all day to the MAX...
right now, I'm boycotting Russian black caviar and Ferraris

~code

demon--3012

"You cannot get blood from a stone"
Are you on the sue list buddy???? just wondering from you questions.

I only caught the very end of the TechTV Music Wars. Some guy with one of the fee-based download sites was bragging how people could sample music for free and then download the songs they liked for 79 cents each, etc. I was frustrated with the other panelists - why didn't they ask about the restrictions on the downloaded files? Why didn't they bring up the limited selection of music? Why didn't they ask him, "How are you going to prevent people from burning the songs onto CDs and making copies for friends?". Maybe I missed a lot of good stuff but, from what I saw, the anti-RIAA people could have been more aggressive.

LOL..broke as I am, boycotting is one of the things I do best!
I can boycott all day to the MAX...
right now, I'm boycotting Russian black caviar and Ferraris

LOL

Yep, when you make a whopping 4-5 grand a year like me, you have the power to boycott absolutely everything.

Man, I'm really sorry this is happening to people. It just makes me more angry more positive that I will never give one cent to the RIAA and the companies they represent.

Thinking about it, the first thing I'd do is put anything worth any value, like my '75 Nova, into some one elses name. I would stash anything else at friends' houses, or families houses. Then I would try to contact the ACLU to see if I could get some leagle advice as to what to do next. Ultimately, you need to come up with an infallible arguement that points blame at the RIAA for accessing your computer without your permission. Somehow it needs to be proved that what the RIAA is doing is unconstitutional. I read an article someone had posted to this site about the 9th Circuit court (?) (shows you how much I know about law), but they just recently threw out a case because one company accessed another companies computer systems to gain enough knowledge to sue the competitor's company. I think that's how it went. But this really sucks. All I can say is that I wish they would sue me. I have nothing to lose, and would fight until the end.

~goingnova

(well cept those damn price gouging gas companies... )

The RIAA is making a point by targeting specific persons that are apparently of a middle to lower-middle income. one can easily see the psycological effects of this tactic. Throughout history humans have gone through the stages of any freedom that is lost. Similar to being grounded as a child. Can any child successfully overturn the punishment of an overbearing parent without severly damaging their standard of living?

I hope you are right Ifree, but check the figures on toyota and see how many years they lost money in the US before making a profit. They know if they hang on and change strategies they can survive, but they have to be willing to change.

I wonder if i could get copyright infringement lawsuit against me, becuase i named my dog Mercedes?

Actually, I've been told it's illegal to hide your possessions and money if there is a legal action against you. Otherwise, everyone getting sued would do it.

I agree IFeelFree, I laughed when he said you could pay the 79 cent per download, after you pay the $9.95 a month membership fee.

... as i said, you dont hide, they give it away before they win the law suit.

Doesnt going bankrupt mean she wouldn't have to pay back college loans anyway? I know she couldnt get a visa but really! I know Im talkin' smack cause its not me but I think she is making herself out to be helpless when she isnt. This isnt civil rights or voting rights that would call people to put their lives on the line but bankruptsy for a college student, which happens to many anyway, seems a little trivial to freak out about. Now if its about serving time in jail or having all your paychecks for the rest of your life taken by the RIAA then I would say this is turning into an extreme situation you wouldnt want to be in but in that case I dont even have to mention its only a matter of time before they try and sue the guy down the street that beats people to death for 20 dollars as I have almost witnessed once (he survived). Which leads me to my next question. After your bankrupt can they get any money from you ever or can they make you serve time in jail?

sometimes i wonder who the first victim was that thought, "i think i'll find a legal way to have someone pay me money for something that was taken from me".

... yes i do believe they would garnish your pay checks for as long as it takes for that $150,000 per song. As far as jail time... dont know.

i am posting this again damnit, are you not listening WAKE UP!!!!!!!!

Date: September 12, 2003 @ 11:53 PM
We should be more afraid of losing our rights than our money, I will fight them at all cost. I would rather represent my self in a law suit and lose everything than lay down and let some one trample my rights as an AMERICAN. I beleive in what this country was founded on. And I am willing to do time in jail if I can not live on the country that my parents , grandparents and great grandparents beleived was the GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH!!! For if you are not living in that country and afraid of what the man could do, you are already in that jail. And that would be the worst thing I would have to live with.
I belive that the founding fathers of this country set this country up for what I feel, not corporate America, or for the all mighty dollar. The founding Fathers of this country fought the tryany that we fance today
there is no differance, so why lay down, why give up your right to due process, why not take a chance with your peers in a court room. It is your right as an AMERICAN CITIZEN!!!!!!! and your duty to to fight opression and that is what this is. A corporation, that is largley not of this country to have laws placed on your freedoms. WAKE UP!!!! your freedom is leaving you, are you not going to fight for it, please!!!! wake up do not give in show the whole world that we are AMERICANS AND WE TAKE NO S*** form any one.

Maybe you dont understand, its not YOU with a million dollar lawysuit. Everythings alot easier to watch, or look at until you try. Otherwise everyone would be a pro-basketball player or get straight A's. Its not as easy as it looks to say, " i dont care if i have to suck quarters out of vending machines to feed myself the rest of my life." becuase essentially when you owe that much money as a college student, you can no longer afford to pay for it, you are forced into working a minimum wage job, and then get garnished wages until you pay it off (which at 5.15-7 an hour will take you decades)

Count me in woodhead. Just proud there are some willing to stand up!

Oh by the way I'm new here, hey everyone! Daymare

They have to locate your assetts to get them. I sued a guy for losses from a robbery. the judge said "I'm sorry I'll have to find for him, but that don't mean you have to pay him" the judge knew him since he was a kid. It took 3 years but he finally got a job and i was able to garnish his wages. it is civil at this point, jail comes when it's criminal

They can not put you in jail for losing a civil case and not paying. If they could do that OJ would be in jail right now. O.J lost a 6 million dollor suit, to this day they have collected a little over 1 million. My brother was sued over ten years ago, to date they have collected zero dollors.

pay for it=college

Everyone likes to get all twisted up over things they have no control over. people don't like to be pushed around. earlier on this forum a posting recommending the mass copying of discs however the unfortunate matter of this good idea is that most of the RW disc on the market are sold by the same companies that make up the RIAA. talk about getting it both ways.

Thats what i said, Oj's the "richest poor person" you could find.

Well, thats interesting, thought i read something about them griping how the sales of blank cd's jumped to almost higher than one with music on it....

What we need to do is set-up an underground network to hide people from the process servers. If they can't deliver those then the person being sued doesn't have to go to court..right??
A lot of single parents have an underground network similar to this.

Daymare, nice to meet you

Come on guys I leave for a doy and I see doubt, on this thread. lets pull back together an get this movement going. I was discouraged as well but taking some time off and refresh the brain works. GEt the thinking cap back on. We can win this, but you need to stand strong. THe media will not represent us right now we are a small group, but recruit, I work at it all the time spread the word ppl will listen and know your facts, no bull s*** have facts kets fight this oppresion
Vote Vote VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!! DAMNIT

It does ruin your credit however. She could lose her student loans and things of this sort.

woodhead:

You're free to do as you like, but I have to disagree. If you're not a sympathetic defendant and you can't get a good lawyer, you will lose. That will probably benefit the RIAA, as they can declare a "victory" and point to it as a precedent.

The RIAA is suing hundreds of people and sooner or later they'll come up against someone who has the money and motivation to fight them. Maybe a wealthy person or a lawyer who's 10 year-old downloaded songs without his knowledge. That person would have a fighting chance. If he said he didn't know about the downloading, he can't watch his kids 24 hours a day, etc., a jury might let him off. Alternatively, if the RIAA tries to sue a highly sympathetic defendant (kid in a wheelchair, decorated war veteran, a mother of small children dieing of cancer, etc.) the jury might let them off in spite of the law.

I understand that woodhead, it is about our right of freedom, the riaa thinks it is about money and that is the only way to hurt thwm. I don't smoke, but I believe we should have the right to, I do own guns and i believe those rights, I also believe we are losing our rights at a recoed pace. We have to make a united stand to save our rights, but we must also pick our battles, and an 18 or 20 yr old person has to llok at their future and make their own decision because only they can face the consequinces of thos decisions. Me personally they could sue ( all evidence would be forged) and they would be unable to collect anything. They will finally make a mistake and be in a lawsuit with the government (department of the interior- bureau of indian Affairs)

woodhead

No, I'm not on the list. I'm just wondering about a few things that I haven't seen address here yet. Even though we have many new posters lately, I'm sure we have many more lurking about that are afraid to ask questions. I'm just asking to learn more. Knowledge is power.

DeafToBs your right about that it's what they did not say where's all the data.most of my cds that i buy i put data on it not mp3

baayne:

The amount of money the recording industry receives for CD-Rs is quite small. (I read the amount somewhere but I don't remember it now.) It doesn't come anywhere close to what they make from selling music CDs. I think mass copying of CDs is a good alternative to file sharing for those people who are afraid of lawsuits.

Sue me, Sherman. I have nothing to take and nothing to lose. And I will garner as much publicity as humanly possible against the RIAA. Thats a promise.

**Ignorance doesn't get people off the hook, but it's definately something we can help prevent.** -- dakota81

I'd say that one other part of the educational campaign that us soldiers are set to fight, would involve explaining how our copyright laws were twisted and distorted as noted a zillion times before, For as the old saying goes: "Just because the law is the law, does not necessarily make it just." To reiterate: It is how the "laws" were rigged by the multinational entertainment-media complex, their stooges in Congress and the courts, and their lapdogs in the news media, that led to this situation -- and its being up to all of us, as we're seeing from those stepping up to the plate, to change it.

Not everyone is giving in. Dont forget that nycfashiongirl (i think thats right) is fighting the RIAA. She's doing it on the grounds of Internet Privacy and fighting the way the RIAA has such broad supeona powers, without it being signed by a judge. Or atleast thats what I make of it.

Well it needs to be pointed out, Nothing changes with out someone making it happen. 10 commandments were posted in schools... courts ... everywhere, till someone said, it violated the right of freedom of religion, and separation of church and state.

So until people declare their rights violated, RIAA can do what they want. Until someone decides to stand against it.

Actually, I just read an article that nycfashiongirl has decided to settle with the RIAA. She felt she had no choice.

The financial gains are indeed low for "poor" companies like Sony on the sale of RW discs. Of course they are quoted on sony.net ,"Sony is committed to enhancing relationships with communities as a good corporate citizen. Focused on educational programs for children, Sony is active in promoting the arts, culture, international exchanges and environmental activities. " Well that is clearly the case here.

demon--3012
There are a lot of answers. what is your question, if I can help I will if not will point to some one who may.

Do not give up guys this is YOUR COUNTRY you will take over it and if you do not take a stand now, when will you?
You guys are the greatest, do mot sell your selfsshort to a corporation who wants you to. Talk with ppl that are older, ask advice, try to see where some of us that are older view this country. And do not be afraid, that is what the RIAA wants.

oh yea demon my email is woodheadboycott@hotmail.com

I love you guys and stay the course, you have freedom on your side.

hmmm.... thats not what her Lawyers said on the techtv music wars tonight, but if she did I hope it works out for her since she is probably on the RIAA shit list now for fighting it.

Where is that firm of lawyers that will step up to bat with a worldwide class action suit against these bloodsuckers? Meanwhile, http://www.eff.org/Activism/activismtraining.html

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!!!!!!!!
GO USA!!!!!

The companies make the largest percentage on their movies the first weekend, thats the way they have it set up with the theaters, everyone should stay home the first weekend the movie is released. This would hit them harder than 6 months of cd boycotts, 20 to 40 million at one shot