MESSAGE
| DATE | 2004-01-06 |
| FROM | Ruben I Safir
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| SUBJECT | Subject: [hangout] Re: [fairuse] Copyright Lawsuite against the RIAA
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http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2003Dec/gee20040106023319.htm
Threat of RIAA lawsuit impacts downloads
posted 10:38am EST Tue Jan 06 2004 - submitted by Christopher R. Anderson
NEWS
The results of a survey conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Project indicate that the RIAA is getting the results it wants from high profile lawsuits. According to the study, approximately 14% of Americans downloaded music over the Internet via peer-to-peer networks from mid-November to mid-December; that is down over 50% from May, when it was 29%.
The results were shocking to Pew; according to its director, Lee Rainie, "We have never seen another internet activity drop off to this degree. The drop-off was just striking, particularly since overall internet activity goes up and up."
However, there are some who doubt the validity of the survey results, believing that the threat of the lawsuits is merely changing how people respond to surveys, not necessarily their actions. As Fred von Lohmann of the Electronic Frontier Foundation put it, "Calling people today and asking them whether they have downloaded music is like calling people and asking them whether they have broken the law this week."
Read more on this topic at Financial Times.
CHRISTOPHER'S OPINION
So, is it the chicken or the egg? I think it is both. The RIAA has worked at being intimidating, but a 50% downturn in downloading seems excessive. However, in some simple research I noticed that there is not nearly the music selection on KaZaA that there used to be.
To say the RIAA has had no impact would be foolish. Lawsuits, and US$10,000 settlements from defendants, have an impact on whether or not someone really wants to share his or her music collection. Sure, you may have a better chance of winning the lottery than getting caught for sharing, but people still play the lottery, so they must believe there is a chance.
I know the readers of this site hate the RIAA with a passion. "They have no right, I can share the music if I want." Well, guess what, whether the RIAA is correct or not, it has the right, it is enforcing it, and it is having an impact. 6 months from now the file-sharing will be down to 6%.
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