Re: [OS:N:] Current file sharing is bad for consumer rights

The business practices of the media corporations is unquestionably 
immoral, but unfortunately legal.  It is also unfortunate that 
their political manipulations have been effective; even upon us.  
We are now fighting and discussing the situation using artificial 
premises which they manufactured for us.  We're concentrating upon 
profits like a bonafide right, as if it were akin to life and 
liberty.  We've also been using double-speak terms like "pirate" as 
if they actually applied to the situation.  If that term did apply, 
then it would be a more suitable description of the RIAA itself.

While I don't condone outright theft, it is likely much less 
offensive to society in general than the wholesale theft and 
manipulation being perpetuated against society by the RIAA.  Their 
public relations statements concerning their fight against crime is 
a lie.  Their statements about defending artists are a sick joke.  
They care even less about the artists who slave for them than they 
do about us.

Let's take a peek behind the smoke and mirrors.  The true core 
issue behind the ugliness and the manipulation is a paradigm shift 
stimulated by the growth of the Internet.  Not long ago, the RIAA 
corporations were a necessary element of the music industry, 
because it was otherwise impossible for new musicians to fund their 
marketing or establish effective distribution methods.  Such 
services might have been difficult to emulate by the established 
musicians as well.  The RIAA is not defined as a monopoly, because 
technically it is composed of multiple companies.  However, the 
RIAA is a cartel, and the effects of it are practically equal to 
those of a monopoly.  Since the RIAA controls the distribution 
channels, it controls the industry itself.  If you wish to "make 
it" in the music industry, then you must become an indentured 
servant to the RIAA company which sponsored you.  Musicians dare 
not ask for too much, become too independent, or speak too loudly 
about the situation.  One of the braver artists was Prince... and 
by golly... Prince just seems to have disappeared.  When was the 
last time "Purple Rain" got radio play?  How about that?  The RIAA 
isn't really trying to suppress crime.  Instead, the RIAA is 
actually trying to suppress technology.  Nabster was the proof of 
concept which caused all of the affiliated RIAA executives to soil 
their underwear.  It proved very publicly that their business is 
obsolete.  They are not needed any more, and frankly that scares 
the crap out of them, and their accountants.  Their greatest fear 
is that artists in mass will realize what I am describing -- that 
artists will realize the Internet can free them from their bondage 
to the RIAA.  With the Internet, musicians have the potential of 
greater distribution, with lower costs, and much higher profits, 
while producing their work in any fashion they wish.  Eventually, 
the Internet will kill the RIAA.  They already know it, and this 
explains their behavior.  They will continue their extortion racket 
for as long as possible until that time.

In brief, the RIAA's crime fighting is actually a campaign to 
suppress technology and maintain artificial distribution 
limitations.

-- 
 Thomas Corriher



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