Shelly Palmer Interviews Ray Beckerman about RIAA Lawsuits

Filed in archive Commentary , Consumer Rights , Legal , People , RIAA, IFPI on July 19, 2007

Shelly Palmer interviews activist and attorney Ray Beckerman, author of the blog
Recording Industry vs The People, which is "[a]bout the RIAA's attempt to monopolize digital music by redefining copyright law, through the commencement of tens of thousands of extortionate lawsuits against ordinary working people." The extensive podcast (15:09 minutes, 13.8 MB) provides an overview of the lawsuits and consumer rights, including the perspective of the recording business and artists. Beckerman says "Be very frightened" as RIAA is forcing the courts to give up your rights.

He discussed three critical areas under litigation.

1. "Make available." Simply having a file may make a person guilty, regardless of the circumstances that led to it being stored on your hard drive and shared.

2. The right to face your accuser may be lost if the recording industry gets the right to search your computer.

3. Parents may be held responsible for the crimes of their children.