Music industry watch

Piracy and terrorism

Joi has a blog entry that refers to an Interpol statement that CD, DVD and computer software piracy as well as counterfeit clothing and cigarettes sales fund terrorist activities.

I can see that -- black market goods have been used to finance underground organizations for a long time. But I think there is a distinct difference between CD/DVD pirates who are doing it for profit and individual file traders who are doing it for personal enjoyment. These are two very distinct groups of people and having one punishment fit both crimes (jail time) doesn't sound like the right idea.

Personally, I think the RIAA is misusing claims like these for their own FUD. I agree that CD pirates and file traders are probably hurting the industry, but the fact that the industry creates and markets low quality crap for high prices is the real reason why they are in trouble. If they changed their ways and made music more resonably priced and accessible over the net, the whole business model for the CD pirates would evaporate and not fund terrorist organizations.

The record companies are trying to latch onto anything and any scapegoat that might help them survive a little longer and to push the guilt of their demise into someone else's shoes. Good luck -- we're watching!

Posted by Mayhem at July 21, 2003 11:41 AM