Day to day, (2003). Commentary: Cracking down on illegal downloading of music and hidden strings in amnesty offer (Gabby)

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[[In 2003 Day to Day released an interview called, Commentary: Cracking down on illegal downloading of music and hidden strings in amnesty offer, that shares information they received by interviewing Slate Technology writer Paul Boutin. Journalist Alex Chadwick discusses how the Recording Industry Association of America sued 261 downloaders for theft of copyrighted songs. He gains insight about the issue from Paul Boutin who shares information about the actions US courts are taking in regard to illegal music downloading. US courts agreed that most of the file trading on peer-to-peer networks violates copyright law and this gives the Recording Industry Association of America the right to sue song swappers for fines as high as $150,000 per song. The RIAA subpoenaed Internet service providers to provide them with individuals names who are illegally downloading and for the millions of American downloaders who weren’t sued, the record industry is offering its amnesty program, which is called Clean Slate. With the program, the RIAA promises not to sue file traders who send in a notarized affidavit saying that they have deleted all bootleg music from their disks and that they promise not to do it again. However, lawyers who have read the agreement have stated that according to the privacy group the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Clean Slate has at least three holes in its wording that could make music pirates regret signing this affidavit. The three issues are one, the amnesty offer does not apply to everyone. It is not open to those under investigation already, even though some people who are may not be aware that they are being investigated. Second, those who sign and then violate the agreement in the future could be hit with criminal charges rather than the lighter civil charges for copyright infringement. Finally, the Recording Industry Association can agree not to sue those who sign its pledge, but it cannot stop other groups from suing. Independent record labels, agencies or vengeful songwriters have the right to sue individuals for illegally downloading music and those who have made peace with the RIAA. The strengths of this article piece are it brings awareness to the growing issues involved with digital piracy. People are becoming more informed about the serious risks and consequences that can come from downloading content illegally online. It outlines why people should avoid it though if they are caught in the act, the steps to take in order to save themselves from a criminal defense. The weaknesses are possibly the lack of statistical data to back up its study. Chadwick could have interviewed several individuals who have involvement in this case as well to gain even more insight or details about the concerns of illegal downloading.]]

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