"Online music swapping legal" says Canadian Federa

Psycho Smiley · Post by **Psycho Smiley** » 2004-03-31 06:24pm

Online music swapping legal: court
Last Updated Wed, 31 Mar 2004 15:24:33
TORONTO - Individuals who share personal copies of music files on the internet are safe after a Federal Court rejected a motion on Wednesday that would have allowed the music industry to sue them.

Justice Konrad von Finckenstein said the Canadian Recording Industry Association hadn't shown copyright infringement by 29 people who had allowed their music files to be uploaded.

Making files available in online, shared directories is within the bounds of Canadian copyright law, von Finckenstein ruled.

"No evidence was presented that the alleged infringers either distributed or authorized the reproduction of sound recordings," von Finckenstein wrote in his 28-page ruling. "They merely placed personal copies into their shared directories which were accessible by other computer users via a P2P service."

The music industry wants to shut down internet file sharing of music, blaming it for plummeting sales of compact discs.

Last year, the recording industry in the United States began going after people who share music online.

The Recording Industry Association of America has sued about 400 individuals in the U.S. for allowing others access to song files. Several people have settled out of court for about $3,000 US each.

On Tuesday, the recording industry sent warning letters or filed charges against 247 people in Denmark, Germany, Italy and Canada.

Written by CBC News Online staff

Well, this ought to piss off our neighbours to the south, not to mention our own recording companies. What a contrast to what's going on in the States.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2004-03-31 06:29pm

I wonder how the RIAA will react. I'm guessing that they will try suing them, realize they're not capable of doing so, and then suing a few people for being with 500 miles of someone who downloaded music.

darthdavid · Post by **darthdavid** » 2004-03-31 06:31pm

Canada looks more and more attractive with everything i hear about it.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2004-03-31 06:36pm

this isn't anything new. Canada's had legal file swapping for years now. They simply charge taxes on recordable media and distribute the taxes from that media to the recording industries, as i recall.

Psycho Smiley · Post by **Psycho Smiley** » 2004-03-31 09:46pm

True, it's just reaffirming that fact. Which is good. And the record companies already tried to get the taxes jacked up on CDs and whatnot a while ago (and failed miserably) so we don't need to worry about that, either.

Alyeska · Post by **Alyeska** » 2004-03-31 11:30pm

I wonder what would happen if Kazaa moved up to Canada... Put all the good songs on Canadian servers. The RIAA can't find the downloaders, only the ones offering the files for download.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-03-31 11:33pm

Alyeska wrote:I wonder what would happen if Kazaa moved up to Canada... Put all the good songs on Canadian servers. The RIAA can't find the downloaders, only the ones offering the files for download.

If something like that took place on a large scale, the American State Department would start leaning on our government like you wouldn't believe.

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2004-03-31 11:41pm

That is why so many hate the U.S. government. It is that right there.

Our government cajoles, pressures, and strongarms even friends to toeing its line to suck corporate and lobbyist cock in the States. Don't blame you guys for telling Washington to fuck itself.

muse · Post by **muse** » 2004-04-01 02:38pm

Darth Wong wrote:
Alyeska wrote:I wonder what would happen if Kazaa moved up to Canada... Put all the good songs on Canadian servers. The RIAA can't find the downloaders, only the ones offering the files for download.
If something like that took place on a large scale, the American State Department would start leaning on our government like you wouldn't believe.

I think it's going to happen anyway. Given the power the recording industry has in America it's only a matter of time before they start pressuring us to conform to their laws. Unless our leaders have the guts to stand up to them and risk severe trade restrictions the States will have their way with us, and given how current relations are it just doesn't look promising at all.