As someone who has been doing the FamilyFirst gig for a long time (off and on), I have really tried to keep things light. Hey, people get enough heavy news from the TV networks already. I’ve always felt I’ve been here to provide an escape from all that.
Well, those who have been following FamilyFirst since the last century know that occasionally something gets my dander up, and I have to vent.
Today it was a Slashdot posting on the RIAA’s pressuring Russia to crack down on what it calls “pirating” (in reality, not conforming to the regulations that are required for selling copyrighted material within the United States, according to US copyright laws). This group is attempting to to deny Russia’s entrance into the WTO (among other things) if they don’t take major action against what they term “piracy.”
Well, here’s what I have to say about that. The RIAA represents, not artists, but RECORD COMPANIES.
When I first began buying albums in the mid 70’s, I loved the Beatles. I soon learned that the British releases of their albums contained more songs than the American releases. In fact, so many songs were held back that an album was released in the US that was NOT released overseas. The reason? It consisted ENTIRELY of songs skimmed from albums released here! The album, in case you didn’t know, was “Yesterday and Today.” The Beatles, not happy with the practice, got the last laugh with their infamous “butcher cover” that forced a costly recall.
The Beatles weren’t the only group thus victimized. Other British bands likewise had songs held back from American releases of their albums.
And did you ever wonder why CD’s retail at the same price they did in 1985, when the technology was new and very expensive? Have you priced blank CD’s lately? About a quarter or less apiece, compared to ten bucks or more to the public back in 1985.
Oh, and let’s not forget the RIAA suing everyone from schoolchildren to elderly grandmothers.
How about a class-action lawsuit against the RIAA for allowing such thievery and harrassment to take place?
Additionally, this entity’s president, Cary Sherman, recently had this to say regarding Sony’s allegedly illegal (to be decided in numerous pending lawsuits) decision to install a rootkit on unwitting customer’s PC’s, even if they declined the EULA that was shown them:
“The problem with the Sony BMG situation is that the technology it used contained a security vulnerability of which it was unaware,” he said. “Sony BMG has apologized for its mistake, ceased manufacture of CDs with that technology, and pulled CDs with that technology from store shelves. It seems very responsible to me.”
Maybe so, sir. But with new worms attacking the vulnerability that STILL exists on many users’ PC’s (after all, Sony didn’t promptly issue an uninstall, only stopped the rootkit installs) being developed as we speak, I would say your statement is, well, inadequate at best, and despicable at most.
Honest to goodness, friends, we don’t need the RIAA. Let’s take a serious look at supporting ARTISTS, not record companies! Today’s FamilyFirst site will show you how.
http://www.boycott-riaa.com
