Friday, August 29, 2003


Alright, this is bothering me...

Remember my rant/essay/thinking aloud post about MP3's awhile back? Well ever since then I've been on the lookout for articles dealing with the issue (ok so I read other blogs and sometimes do a search but you get the idea) and there's one thing they all have in common that I feel is VERY misleading and actually scares me a bit and it's this:

The RIAA is always claiming that it wants to get the downloaders and make them pay and stuff. I don't disagree with that part, but what gets me is that in nearly all the cases of a downloader getting caught and sued by the RIAA that gets printed in the stuff I've seen, the person being prosecuted was more of an uploader than a downloader.

It's no big secret that they're going after the big fish first, and that it's taken quite some time for internet terms to become more commonplace for the web-challeneged...but for goodness' sakes people! If you're going after a person for being an UPloader, then call them an UPloader! If you're going after a DOWNloader, then call them a DOWNloader. I personally have heard next to nil about "infringers" being called UPloaders. We hear about the P2P programs that allow for the sharing in the first place (they get sued all the time), we hear about the ISPs potentially being forced to give the users up (what about the ones who've stopped and will not do it again cuz they've wised up?), and we hear about the kids and idiots who are ripping everything they can get their hands on and spreading them like wildfire over the internet claiming to be Robin Hood (the robbin' is right).

But since when did uploaders and downloaders become the same? Because they aren't! Could someone PLEASE tell these media guys that!!!

Some "traders" don't technically (npi) "trade". Some download only but don't upload. So where's the trade? Some upload but don't download. So where's the trade? Where's the swapping? Sharing yes, but swapping and trading? No.

I wanna know what the plan of attack is here people. I'm one of the ones who tried it for a bit to see what the fuss was about and I decided to quit. I never uploaded anything nor did I ever allow anyone to download from me. I even bought albums after trying out some of the music (altho that probably doesn't mean much). Are they going after just the uploaders and program makers? They can't go after all 5 million+ of us. Would you rather me delete the stuff from my hard drive? I've got 'em right here and I've also got a button right here. Will that help? Want me to press it? Seriously, do you want me to press this button, cuz I'll do it.

I admit I made a mistake. I admit I shouldn't've have tried it. But I was NEVER an UPloader and I DON'T like being thrown into the same catergory as those who are. If it weren't for the UPloaders, there would be nothing to DOWNload in the first place! I see the RIAA is going after the "downloaders" who are really the big "uploaders" and that's good. But PLEASE GET YOUR TERMS STRAIGHT!!!

Thank you.
posted @ 3:07 PM  |   0 comments  |  

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