YOUR COMMENTS

To Sara from NH (and others): Since the first lawsuit was announced years ago, I have NOT purchased a music CD nor downloaded a single song for money. I do exactly the same thing now that I did when I was a teenager in the early sixties...I record off the radio (or internet) for my own use. The only difference between then and now is the media...cassette tape then, digital now.

The music industry missed a GOLDEN opportunity to CASH IN on the digital revolution, but was/is too stupid to figure out how to do it.

I bought very few albums when in my teens and twenties because I loathed paying for 12 songs when I only wanted to buy 1 or 2. The other ten were usually CRAP anyway! (Except for the Beatles, of course!)

Now, whenever, this RIAA nonsense is over, I'll be able to buy/download single songs that I want and am willing to pay for. My God, why didn't this marketing method happen fifty years ago!!
- Karl, Loganville, GA

And the worst part of all this is yet to come. Now the major record label are attempting to get the federal government to levy a "performance tax" on local radio stations, just for the privilege of playing their music.

Never mind that the station already pay royalties, which supposedly go to the artists already, and provide the recording companies with billions of dollars in free promotion for their product. The major labels don't see it that way, because all they have are dollar signs in their eyes.

The way they see it, the fact that an additional tax would put undue financial burden on many radio stations isn't their problem.

So, be prepared for this tax to create upheaval in the local radio landscape. Because even though the beneficiaries of this levy will be foreign-owned corporations, Madame Pelosi and Sire Reid have yet to meet a tax they didn't like.
- Russ Schmidt, New Kensington, Pa. 15068

The price has increased a bit more than 10 cents per song. The music industry has been trying to phase out singles since the 70's, since they are much less profitable than albums.

Albums went for 3.99 or less in 1965--now upwards of $20 for an inferior delivery system that costs them much less to produce, excluding whatever they decide to spend on videos and other promotion. Vinyl had a sound they just can't seem to reproduce on CD or other electronic method.

It would be interesting to see how they arrived at that "12.5 billion" in alleged losses. They must be assuming every download took the place of a sale.
- Marilyn, Walla Walla, WA

We are on a slippery slope. Copyright infringment occurs when someone else's intellectual property is used for commercial gain. Will I be breaking laws when my father dies and I inherit his record album collection?
- Daniel, San Diego, California

The record industry isn't going after blood, they are trying to crack down and make an example of music thieves. They've been settling with most people for a few thousand dollars. They would have done the same with Thomas-Rassett. They didn't go after millions. The 24 songs were representative of hundreds she stole AND DISTRIBUTED, they were already being gracious there. As she fought the law, her penalties kept increasing by the jury! $80,000 is less than the distribution license per song could be. I agree that, in the end, the record industry is ridiculous. But people should realize it's not their "right" to listen to, steal or distribute music. If you want to record it off the radio for your own listening, go right ahead.
- Bubbles, Atlanta, Georgia

I don't know what all the big deal about Music is! I have been a record collector since 1954. My first 45 RPM cost .89 Cents then and now they charge .99 Cents per song. Show me one other industry where there product has risen 10 Cents in 55 years?

John
- JMSRAMSEY, Ramsey, NJ

I agree that every citizen should look at what is happening in our courts and be appalled. All this talk about stimulus and health care reform, I want legal reform. It is one thing European governments seem to have better than us that they are not changing. It is what I ask my representatives for - true legal reform, not just minor tort laws. That would stimulate every business in the US.
- Art, Marietta, GA

The RIAA is supposed to represent artists. It's funny the RIAA is now in hot water for not paying the artists royalties. So the company gets it on both ends, taking from consumers and screwing the artists. They have sent out thousands of settlement letters and they choose those most vulnerable. These are the same people in charge of writing copyright laws. This is an issue people of any political persuasion should be behind. We are losing our rights every dy.
- pt, athol, ma

Congratulations Dody! Good for you. It must be a huge relief to have this over and done with.
- Sharon, Manchester, NH

I think the people in this country should sue the music industry for promoting violent gang behavior and drug use to the kids.

Oh! Sorry it's their constitutional right to do so. Just don't mention the name Jesus in school though or put a display of anything to do with Christmas on the public town square. That is down right offensive and must not be tolerated.
- Deb, Derry

We as citizens can change so much but noboby wants to do what we can do. Stop buying from them, that simple. In a few months time when they get no money they will change their minds. We do have the power to make these companies go down but nobody will stop buying cds.
- Sara, Goffstown, NH

The record companies claim huge losses due to copying. I don't suppose it has occurred to them that people aren't buying due to the quality of the product ?
- JimBob, Northfield

The enduring legacy of President Clinton... who made it possible for the music industry thugs to strong-arm their customers like this. I think we should be able to sue the record labels, when we BUY a CD from them and then find out 9 of the 12 songs on the CD suck.
- Kenny, Rochester

yeah a minnesota lady lost today, having to pay $80,000 per song for 24 of them making it a 1.92 million fine!
- george, hillsborough

What is the big deal about music. If the song was at least played once over the radio you should be able to copy it, it is no different from a DVR which records TV. These record companies can sue you for millions of dollars for 24 songs, but if you want to sue them you are limited. I believe these companies should be limited to $0.99 a song because that is what you can buy a song for.

When some one steals from you, you are only entitled to what makes you whole. If the person steals $24 from you then they are only entitled to $24 plus court costs, on top of that small claims court should be the only on involved, any thing under $5000 is what should be handled by small claims court.

The real problem is that the government protects these large companies, and allow them to take advantage of Americans.
- JW, Manchester

The RIAA is still filing suits against individuals, despite claims to the contrary.
- Brian, Milford