Hollywood Survival Kit

Filed in archive Commentary , Industry , RIAA, IFPI on July 25, 2006

Whether your car breaks down on the 101 in North L.A., you sit through a RIAA rep's presentation at a conference, or you're playing a trivia game with friends, you can now be prepared with "Frequently Awkward Questions for the Entertainment Industry". Hollywood has created its own version of reality through its press releases and spokespeople for years. The EFF has published this handy FAQ so you too can now take the offensive.

Here are a few nuggets for the Music Industry

1. The RIAA has sued more than 20,000 music fans for file sharing, yet file sharing continues to rapidly increase both online and offline. When will you stop suing music fans?
2. The RIAA has sued over 20,000 music fans for file sharing, who have on average paid a $3,750 settlement. That's over $75,000,000. Has any money collected from your lawsuits gone to pay actual artists? Where's all that money going?
3. The RIAA has sued over 20,000 music fans for file sharing. Recently, an RIAA representative reportedly suggested that "students drop out of college or go to community college in order to be able to afford [P2P lawsuit] settlements." Do you stand by this advice? Is this really good advice for our children's futures?
4. The RIAA said that it only went after individual file sharers because you couldn't go after P2P system creators. After the Supreme Court's Grokster decision, shouldn't you stop going after music fans?