[DMCA-Activists] Re: [DMCA_Discuss] STOP Foreign RIAA Music Monopoly

[IBSHQ]

Hi All,

Let us make it really easy:

RIAA/ Sound Exchange has hundreds of members 
representing thousands of labels.  

But ... ONLY FIVE Members of RIAA 
are causing the DMCA problems.  
They are the BIG FIVE: 
Sony (Japan), BMG (Germany), EMI (UK), 
Vivendi Universal (France) and AOL/Warner (USA).  

Boycott only these five and you will meet your goals.  
Most of these companies are foreign controlled 
and headquartered.  Most of the RIAA BIG FIVE are in, 
or moving into Internet music delivery, 
i. e. BMG (NAPSTER), Vivendi Universal (VUNet), ETC.

Obviously if RIAA/ Sound Exchange 
and the BIG FIVE, which account for nearly 90% of RIAA revenue, 
can use DMCA to eliminate their competition, 
the small and large non-RIAA controlled webcasters, 
it would be in RIAA/BIG FIVE's best interests to do it.  

RIAA will soon become the only foreign controlled monopoly to have the 
Congressional given right to tax (DMCA copyright fees) and eliminate 
competition (webcaster reporting mandates).

Actions you can take:
1. Boycott the BIG FIVE
2. Encourage Justice Department to break up RIAA/ BIG FIVE Music monopoly
3. Encourage Commerce Department (SBA) to demand
       small webcaster protection against RIAA/BIG FIVE Music Monopoly
4. Encourage Copyright Office to eliminate reporting
       requirements that will eliminate small webcasters
5. Encourage Copyright Office to limit DMCA fees to be
       no greater than ASCAP copyright fees.
6. Encourage Congress to REPEAL DMCA!
7. Encourage Congress to STOP foreign MUSIC MONOPOLY!

Fritz Kass
Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS)
with 62 continuous years of service to
educational broadcasters and webcasters.
http://www.ibsradio.org
address@hidden
367 Windsor Highway, New Windsor, NY 12553
With 773 educational broadcast members
(95% of active educational webcasters)
    


In a message dated 5/27/02 12:57:59 AM, address@hidden writes:

<< I agree 100%.  However, why only push for fair use?  I believe we should
push to abolish any law that creates power for the RIAA, stifles innovation,
and oppresses the people.  The RIAA should not become an extension of
government through legislation.  Their ability to do so is key to how they
can dominate and control media, and stopping it is key to how we can prevent
it.  They must have no formal representation beyond their traditional
ability to lobby.

We need teeth!  It is not enough to raise our voices.  We need to
consolidate Internet grassroots operations to ensure that (a) all
congressmen that sponsored the DMCA lose any reelection and (b) any
congressmen not supporting a repeal of the DMCA lose their reelection.

We should also organize a systematic boycott of every company the RIAA
represents.  If the MPAA starts to launch attacks to the degree the RIAA is,
then we should boycott them as well.  Otherwise, perhaps just targeting the
RIAA should suffice as an example to the rest.

To help the boycott, we can also encourage and faciliate the access to all
alternative options, include labels that are not with the RIAA, artists that
don't sign with labels, internet radio and any other means to enjoy artists'
works outside of RIAA control.  We should support artists that are bold
enough to not sign, or only sign with "internet friendly" labels, by
attending their live performances as they tour, and purchasing other
artifacts they may offer, including CDs.

People, keep in mind that the DMCA is the ratification of a WTO treaty
pushed by the US, and ratified by the US first in order to encourage the
rest of the world to join up.  This means that the DMCA is a test the other
nations are watching very closely.  If we don't build up widespread
opposition and defeat it fast, then it will spread like a virus across the
globe, making it nearly impossible to undo.  We must organize to VOTE and
BOYCOTT, and do it soon!

JMHO,

Erik

-----Original Message-----
From: address@hidden
[mailto:address@hidden Behalf Of Seth
Johnson
Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 5:14 PM
To: address@hidden;
address@hidden;
address@hidden
Subject: [DMCA_Discuss] Give Me Fair Use (Or Give Me Death)



(Forwarded from NY Fair Use list, address@hidden  Let
me add the following comment:  Nobody every gives you your
freedom.  You have to take it.  -- Seth)

-------- Original Message --------
Date: 24 May 2002 08:11:44 -0400
From: Ron Guerin <address@hidden>


This Week's Clue: Give Me Fair Use (Or Give Me Death)
By Dana Blakenhorn
http://www.a-clue.com/archive/02/cl020520.htm

....

Petition Congress for a redress of these grievances, demand
answers to hard questions from every candidate ("will you
vote to repeal the DMCA, yes or no"), and work hard against
those who resist.

You have a right to read what you want and share your
knowledge. You have a right to watch what you want, however
you want. You have a right to technology that allows fair
use. You have a right to the assumption that you're not a
thief.

I'm not a thief. You're not a thief. There, in the
boardrooms, the courtrooms, and the cloakrooms, there are
the thieves. If you're not willing to use the liberty of the
Constitution to defend liberty, you won't retain it. Your
children will pay, and pay and pay, for every word they
read, every song they hear, every show they see, and every
time they read, hear or see it. And they won't be able to
satirize or comment on it or criticize it, either. It will
all be produced and controlled by a half-dozen companies,
with absolute control of the government, and they will tell
you what to think. Contracts trump Constitutions.

That's what is at stake here. Your enemies are both
Republicans and Democrats, your friends may all be spending
time in jail over the next several years. But every
generation is called to battle, and usually they're drafted.
Consider this your notice.
 >>