wrote in message ...
"Ricky W. Hunt" writes:

"Marc Wielage" wrote in message
news:0001HW.BCDBCEDF01189A10F070D5B0@news- should pick their
battles
more carefully, but I also see their point that
people who steal should be punished... to a point.

I agree something has to be done. But one thing the RIAA has proven
without
a doubt: they are HORRIBLY out of touch with both music lovers AND
technology. Therefore they really serve no good purpose (IMO). The line
from
the article that really hit me was: "And we're trying to create a level
playing field for legal online (music) services," he added (he being
Stanley
Pierre-Louis, senior vice president for legal affairs for the RIAA).
Excuse
me? Didn't they do every thing they could to throw up road blocks to
what
(pay for downloading) has now been proven an unqualified success?

Why is the RIAA allowed to sue? Consider someone shoplifting from a
regular
store. Can the store sue for $30,000 because someone stole a (physical)
CD?
Can Microsoft sue if someone copies Windows? I can see a person being
charged, but shouldn't the police do that?

Richard


Shoplifting is a criminal offense that can be processed through the regular
justice system. Cops, robbers, judges and juries, etc.,

The only recourse for copyright violation is through civil litigation.
That's because it's a different kind of thing. A fine distinction, but a
distinction in US law nonetheless.

jb