Comparing File Sharing To Payola: Could Have Had That Promotion For Free
TechDirt Nov 24 09BullJustin points us to a short NPR piece about four massive failures by the recording industry. If we skip over number 3 (Kevin Federline), the other three are pretty relevant to what we talk about here on a regular basis: the Sony BMG rootkit fiasco that opened up security holes on computers without letting anyone know, the RIAA's lawsuit strategy of suing fans and the record labels' ongoing efforts at payola to get songs played on the radio. However, BullJustin makes an amusing point in the submission concerning that last one: It cost the industry untold millions in actual payola, independent promoter fees, and then more than $25 million in settlements, not to mention lawyer fees. Full story...
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Just as with our discussions on the
efficacy of rain dances, I am most fascinated by stories of the baffling
choices of copyright maximalists which, albeit unintentionally, most definitely
promote content piracy/theft [insert
Chris Dodd's buzzword of the week].
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