Woman sues RIAA for illegal searching

[Stelliform]

I didn't notice it posted here yet, but I thought it was interesting. She is suing them for illegally searching her computer for shared music. BBC Article

What I think is funny is that she might have a case. This case IMHO might lay some foundation on a definition of the internet.

The RIAA is saying that her internet activity isn't private information. (Although that is her claim.)

They also say that they are immune to illegal search lawsuits since they are not law enforcement. This to me was also very interesting. So based on their arguments they are saying packet sniffing is perfectly legal, or that a private organization can search all it wants without permission as long as the door was left open....

Interesting approach from the woman. I bet she was waiting for them to come after her....

 

[TEG]

Finally!!! Someone sticking it to the RIAA. Those evil SOBs deserve any judgement against them. They don't understand the game, they need to fix thier model to compete with iTMS then, no one would have this problem

$14 for any CD is too much
$9 is a little more reasonable.

TEG

 

[Backtothemac]

God, I hope she wins this. If you do that to them, you are a hacker and can be sentences like a rapist would be. But they can. No way it can be legal for them to do this to people.

 

[Juventuz]

If it were up to certain members of Congress they would allow the RIAA and any other organization to destroy your computer if they caught you downloading songs.

They talked about making it legal for the companies to put viruses that destroyed your HD in the songs. Scary stuff....

 

[jadariv]

Originally posted by TEG
Finally!!! Someone sticking it to the RIAA. Those evil SOBs deserve any judgement against them. They don't understand the game, they need to fix thier model to compete with iTMS then, no one would have this problem

$14 for any CD is too much
$9 is a little more reasonable.

TEG

I agree that the record companies are going about it the wrong way, but i want to add:

They do not need to compete (who are they competing with, its their records being sold) with iTMS, they need to adapt to and adopt to the technology.

And second, check bestbuy.com and circuit city. Most older cd's are under $10 dollars and most new one's are around $10 and include lots of extras.

The record companies, for all the spouting off to the contrary on these forums, are taking great strides in lowering prices and adding content. People are just to busy being up in arms with their excuses for their illegal activities to see what's happening.

 

[Macmaniac]

Serves em right, people need to stand up and fight for their Internet rights. Companies should have no right to search your personal files without permission.

 

[stoid]

What the RIAA is doing is like the policemen coming into your house with out a warrant, and taking all of your videos and DVDs because a neighbor has been watching them through your back window whenever you play them.

 

[XnavxeMiyyep]

Originally posted by stoid
What the RIAA is doing is like the policemen coming into your house with out a warrant, and taking all of your videos and DVDs because a neighbor has been watching them through your back window whenever you play them.

But they said they weren't government funded, so it would be more like regular people claiming to be policemen doing that.

 

[themadchemist]

Originally posted by XnavxeMiyyep
But they said they weren't government funded, so it would be more like regular people claiming to be policemen doing that.

or simply regular people doing it, making no such fraudulent claims at all...

which, of course, makes it perfectly all right.

Wow! I feel better!

--wait a second guys, I've got to go let this stranger in so that he can steal by 61" TV. BRB.

 

[Ryan1524]

Originally posted by XnavxeMiyyep
But they said they weren't government funded, so it would be more like regular people claiming to be policemen doing that.

wouldn't that be even worse??

 

[XnavxeMiyyep]

Originally posted by Ryan1524
wouldn't that be even worse??

Yes, that was the purpose of my post.

 

[rainman::|:|]

So what some enterprising hacker needs to do is install packet sniffers on all business and personal computers of higher-ups in the RIAA... make public all their credit card info, personal info, porn habits, etc etc. Then claim it's perfectly legal, you even said so.


pnw

 

[TEG]

Originally posted by paulwhannel
So what some enterprising hacker needs to do is install packet sniffers on all business and personal computers of higher-ups in the RIAA... make public all their credit card info, personal info, porn habits, etc etc. Then claim it's perfectly legal, you even said so.

Poetic Justice, something we need more of in this world.

TEG

 

[solvs]

Even if d/l music is illegal (which since no money is exchanging hands, they are having a hard time even claiming copyright infringement), 2 wrongs don't make a right. Giving companies the right to search your computers, whether you've done something wrong or not, is worse than illegal search and seizure. The gov doesn't have the right to your property without just cause, why should they?

And for those thinking they have nothing to hide... those who are willing to give up their rights for security, deserve neither.

 

[G4scott]

I think the RIAA will claim that they're protecting their songs, but then I guess hackers can claim that they're protecting stuff that they've copyrighted, like a computer program.

The RIAA basically kissed major ass to get the rights to search computers, and now people are finally realizing that what they're doing isn't exactly legal...

 

[XnavxeMiyyep]

Originally posted by paulwhannel
So what some enterprising hacker needs to do is install packet sniffers on all business and personal computers of higher-ups in the RIAA... make public all their credit card info, personal info, porn habits, etc etc. Then claim it's perfectly legal, you even said so.


pnw

Heh. Then we'll find all of those files that they "confiscated"

 

[stoid]

What's on your computer is just like what you have in your house. A number of people in America have pot or other controlled substances in their house, but that doesn't give an organization, no matter who runs/funds/controls/licenses it to go into every house in America without a search warrant and dig around for those possessions. Parents are letting underage children drink at the house because "at least I can keep an eye on them." I'm at a college campus right now, and even though it's a "dry" campus, many students under 21 go out and drink on a regular basis. Police and other organizations don't go around and search peoples homes for evidence of underage drinking without just cause. You can't just invade the privacy of a persons hard drive, just like you can't invade their home/car/medical records without consent or a probable cause. There needs to be a computer privacy act, to protect those people who store/send confidential information using their computer in perfectly legal ways.

 

[jadariv]

Originally posted by stoid
What's on your computer is just like what you have in your house. A number of people in America have pot or other controlled substances in their house, but that doesn't give an organization, no matter who runs/funds/controls/licenses it to go into every house in America without a search warrant and dig around for those possessions. Parents are letting underage children drink at the house because "at least I can keep an eye on them." I'm at a college campus right now, and even though it's a "dry" campus, many students under 21 go out and drink on a regular basis. Police and other organizations don't go around and search peoples homes for evidence of underage drinking without just cause. You can't just invade the privacy of a persons hard drive, just like you can't invade their home/car/medical records without consent or a probable cause. There needs to be a computer privacy act, to protect those people who store/send confidential information using their computer in perfectly legal ways.

But, if you have probable cause that someone has an illegal substance or that an illegal activity is taking place, then there is plenty of reason to go in there. These people are downloading or allowing others to upload extraordinarily large amounts of information. They have given someone probable cause to go after them.

 

[Giaguara]

i hope (wish) riaa loses (lost).

 

[cb911]

there has been a few articles all over the place about 'nycfashiongirl'. the RIAA was trying to get the ISP to hand over her info last i heard.

it'll be interesting to watch and see what happens.

 

[Sol]

First 'War On Drugs', Next 'War On Piracy'?

I can look up to people like this woman. She took the initiative to question the actions of the RIAA and hold them accountable. I just hope this court-case does not get politicised and ten years from now America starts fighting a 'War On Piracy'.

 

[RandomDeadHead]

Originally posted by jadariv
But, if you have probable cause that someone has an illegal substance or that an illegal activity is taking place, then there is plenty of reason to go in there. These people are downloading or allowing others to upload extraordinarily large amounts of information. They have given someone probable cause to go after them.

I have a small sack of marijuana in my posession right now.

Now that you know that, does it make it legal for you to break into my house, and confiscate it from me?

 

[rainman::|:|]

Originally posted by RandomDeadHead
I have a small sack of marijuana in my posession right now.

Now that you know that, does it make it legal for you to break into my house, and confiscate it from me?

No but it's damn tempting. Can you leave a bowl nearby, so I don't have to bring my own?


pnw

 

[Stelliform]

I think that is the point. Does the RIAA have the authority to search your stuff? If you steal my laptop and I know it is in your house and I can see it through the window, I still can't enter your house and take it back. (Legally) I have to call the cops according to the law. I hope the lawyers persue it to the fullest.

 

[jadariv]

Originally posted by RandomDeadHead
I have a small sack of marijuana in my posession right now.

Now that you know that, does it make it legal for you to break into my house, and confiscate it from me?

No, it would not be legal. Plus your to far away for me to come get it. PM me your address and I will call your local police.

As for confiscating. That's not what the RIAA is doing and wasn't part of my argument.