Setting the record straight

A recent piece by the Daily Student (11/15“Illegal file sharing shunned: Legal expert: Just downloading may not bring fines”) contained multiple factual errors . We feel compelled to clarify a few essential facts so that students have a better understanding of the law and the illegal nature of many of these peer-to-peer services. \nFact: Anyone who uploads or downloads copyrighted music without permission from sites like Limewire may face a federal lawsuit. Both activities are illegal. \nFact: The courts have held that peer-to-peer sites like Kazaa and Grokster can be held liable for facilitating copyright theft. We believe that Limewire is no different. It is a business built on the backs of artists and music owners that does not compensate either for use of their music. The subscription fee users pay to access Limewire goes straight into the pockets of Limewire executives and does not go to the artists and others behind the scenes that have worked hard to produce the music. \nFact: The copyright laws derived from the U.S. Constitution protect artists and creators from having their content stolen and are fundamental to both creativity and technology. Record companies are actively partnering with new digital services to provide music fans with safe and hassle-free ways to get their music. For a list of legal services, please visit www.musicunited.org or www.riaa.com. \nThere is no silver bullet to addressing music theft. Nor can it be ever eliminated. We recognize this. But through a multi-faceted approach that includes educational programs, targeted deterrence and – perhaps most important – partnering with new digital services to satisfy music fans’ appetite for music, we think the foundation is in place for the legal marketplace to flourish.