Riaa targeting Universities

AP: Recording Industry Targets Colleges


The past few years the RIAA has been targeting individuals for pirating music. Many people were sued and settled out of court. I believe that this has done almost nothing to stop the pirating of music. In fact, I would say that it has increased the amount of pirating for several reasons.

First off, it makes pirating music highly publicized, and everyone sees that only a tiny fraction of people are getting sued. Making it more likely that people will pirate. Secondly, all of these lawsuits have put a stain on the RIAA's reputation. Now people view the RIAA as a money-grubbing evil corporate empire. Lastly, the RIAA has fallen behind in this new technological age. Instead of finding new ways to deliver music and albums to people they are stuck trying to keep people using CDs.

People want music on their IPods and other portable devices. With services like Rhapsody and ITunes leading the way in delivering music on computers. These types of services are what the RIAA should be trying to start, not holding back technology for their profit.

What could be to come as universities and other organizations that provide internet to the masses get sued is for the RIAA to take is battle to a higher scale. Leaning on universities might only be a start. Soon ISPs, Apartment complexes with frequent pirating, housing complexes, etc.... might receive summonses. This would be a more powerful message, but at what cost to their reputation?