RIAA To Prosecutors: Use Piracy Charges To Round Up Drug Dealers And Terrorists
from the it's-a-starter-crime dept
Back in the 1920s, the FBI was never able to get Al Capone on racketeering charges, but eventually got a conviction for tax evasion. It appears that the RIAA's message to federal prosecutors is now: think of music piracy as the new tax evasion! In a leaked "training video," put together by the RIAA for the National District Attorneys Association, RIAA representatives talk about how prosecutors can use music piracy charges to go after drug dealers and terrorists, noting that "it might allow you to have probable cause for a drug house." That's said by the RIAA's Deborah Robinson, who can barely stifle a laugh as she starts to say it. She then goes on to talk about how often they're supposedly seeing drug dealers and gun dealers selling counterfeit CDs with the drugs and guns. Oh really? Weren't we just hearing about how the counterfeit CD business was rapidly shrinking due to file sharing? There's also a great leading question from the NDAA person, asking if convicted murderers who were out on parole are "gravitating to this type of piracy." The response from the RIAA's Frank Walters: "More often than not..." It's no secret that the RIAA is eager to get federal prosecutors to take on piracy cases, but this seems a bit extreme.
Reader Comments (rss)
(Flattened / Threaded)
by ToldUso on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 4:18am
But what about the children?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: by mkam on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 4:31am
A very good point ToldUso brings up here.
In addition, I love the part about buying CDs 'with' or 'without'. 'With' means you get some crack with your counterfeit CD. Has this ever happened in real life?
mkam
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Special Weapons and Tactics by k55f5r on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 4:56am
The brownshirts are getting one more excuse to break down doors with their jackboots. How long until one of the many Dangerous Downloaders is shot dead on entry?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
fools by Tek on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 5:14am
ridiculously pompous shortsightedness, they are so desperate clutching at straws to try any method, even those that are not likely to succeed, because they are in such a bad situation.
idiots - don't they see that this is all making it *worse* for them
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Anonymous Coward on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 5:17am
Who here remembers the super-hero danger-dodging bootleg-sniffing dogs?
*raises hand*
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Uh oh by Killer_Tofu on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 5:34am
RIAA for the NDAA?
Looks like they are already prepped to fit right in and join the MAFIAA.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
farming by grant on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 5:37am
We farm and the price of corn is going really high and so is the price of land around these parts.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
You dont know your customer by Iron Chef on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 5:44am
Not one to cross-post, consider my thoughts here:
http://techdirt.com/article.php?sid=20080219/014250290#c1220
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: by chris on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 5:55am
But what about the children?
the riaa can round them up too. they have no problems doing that too.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Turbins by John on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:00am
everyone knows thats why terrorists wear masks and turbins, theyre hiding their mp3 player. jeez.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
What Next. by Big Frankie on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:06am
RIAA = Real Idiots And Airheads
It is time for people to make an effort to get rid of those morons.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Anonymous Coward on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:08am
Sorry, Mike, I guess the RIAA hasn't had to time read you blogs. Don't worry I am sure they will be contacting you about getting a SWOT analysis for the decline in CD counterfeits.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
RIAA should get RICO by CMeeks on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:16am
Prosecutors only dealing with the RIAA should be to file RICO charges against them. Why is the recording industry tiring to fix their failure to adapt by legal shakedown and extortion? Yes file sharing is stealing no problem with that one, but the "you were cought J-walking so now we will execute your whole family line and all branches back five generations" is not the rite approach. Digital music is cheap to deliver, millions of songs are sold online for a buck a shot, the CD is dieing like the LP did in the 80s it is change and civil courts can not stop sociatial evolution.
By the way Osoma Binlauden has a real crappy MP3 collection the highlight is the bootleg copy of the March 3rd call to morning prayers at the Hafa Masque
Can someone stop making a bigger joke out of our courts than they really are
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Joe Courson on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:17am
I'm into the whole Bukkake thing and can suck good political ..uh..stuff... maybe i had a run in with mark foley or larry craig.
Would i have a chance? get me in!
Penis. there i said it.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Laughable by Robin on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:19am
..just laughable.
with any luck, a major news outlet will pick this up (a la bank julius baer) and the ridicule will shift into high gear.
i prefer "with" btw. michael, can your blogging software here do polls? could be loads of fun!
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Anonymous Coward on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:24am
That's said by the RIAA's Deborah Robinson, who can barely stifle a laugh as she starts to say it.
Maybe someone was just having a little fun?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Overcast on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:25am
Just because the RIAA managed to pay congress enough to build them a bunch of 'protectionist' laws for their industry - doesn't mean law enforcement will take the actual enforcement of those laws seriously..
Of course, one must also consider that the US has more people in jail than even China in raw numbers! So, yes - perhaps they will find some that are more than happy to lock up 'pirates'.
haaaaaar
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Anonymous Coward on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:26am
...who the hell would buy a CD from a crack dealer?
"Come on man I need some more"
"Ok here you go, and did I mention that I have U2's latest album?"
"Well, hey, stick it in the bag too."
Damn crack dealers will be selling groceries next.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
WTF is going on? by Joe on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:32am
Isn't this the same fear mongering that the movie studio's put into people with "buying bootleg movies aide terrorists" or the government did with "Drug money aides terrorists"?
Seems to me one more big group is trying to shift the light of their inept war on whatever the market is they are against by bringing in groups that no one wants to side with.
Overall this will fail like the other movements...Since they are also a pack of lies.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: by Heidi on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:34am
I wish my crack dealer sold CDs .. life would be so much easier.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Just Say No (to piracy) by James on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 6:48am
Hilarious, they have obviously lost whatever sanity was left (sic).
Maybe we can update the "Just Say No" campaign for the modern age? Don't copy that CD kids, "Just Say No", we could even have ads with a thugish-looking guy passing out a 256MB USB-connecting MP3 player w/a song or two on it to "get 'em hooked". LOL
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Civil Law Prosecuted by the DA by Anonymous Coward on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 8:10am
Can a DA pursue a civil case?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Anonymous Coward on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 8:14am
Here is the plan:
1) STOP buying from the RIAA and stop pirating their music (because it actually helps them advertise) -- the RIAA will be dry up, blow away, and be forgotten. If you have to have it buy it used off Amazon.com.
2) ONLY support independent musicians like those on sellaband.com or cdbaby.com.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Anonymous Coward on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 8:29am
Nice plan. If people stop pirating the music, there would be no need for the RIAA. That is kind of their point.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: by Chronno S. Trigger on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 8:40am
But if we add on not buying their crap then we really speak to them.
We can't download their music because that just give them a scape goat. Stop downloading and stop buying and they will only have one possible reason for the failure: Their tactics are detestable and their business model is outdated and needs to die.
-F**K July, Boycott RIAA/MPAA now.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
The new rolling stop by Anonymous Coward on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 8:50am
This sounds like they're coming up with a "rolling stop" for houses.
Nobody comes to a full and complete stop at a stop sign, so when you want to bust someone, but your real reason isn't good enough (e.g. DWB) you stop them for making a rolling stop, then search the vehicle as a moving crime scene.
This is the same principle, but for houses. Let's see, the music coming out of that guy's window does not seem to meet the full recording quality standards that I've come to expect from GenuineRIAA (TM), so I have evidence of a crime in progress, justifying busting down the door, etc.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Would you like some weed with that Weezer by Crack head on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 9:10am
Forrest Gump says, Bubba always loved his Earth Wind and Fire with his marijuana!
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Anonymous Coward on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 9:15am
Another desperate attempt by the RIAA to make themselves useful enough that the government will continue to support their interests...
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Not to really stereotype by Ima Bigot on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 9:22am
Ok to really stereotype....
I didnt know that RIAA represented the "TREW GANGSTA RAP". Any of my crack dealers tended to "be of color" and mostly listened to underground HipHop
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Re: by Anonymous Coward on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 9:23am
I wish mine sold groceries...
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Damn need the DEA by Call DA Police on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 9:24am
Marijuana is no longer the main precursor drug to narcotics it is now dloads....
Leads to crack houses
????????
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Amerikkkans are the real druggies by Ray Letts - BungHole inc on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 9:34am
I can't believe the amount of illicit drugs Amerikkkans consume.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Children of Pirates by reed on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 10:00am
"But what about the children?"
They get to become the next generation of incarcerated inmates of course. We have a plan and it is called a bed for them in prison when they are ready to join their pirate parents.
This is of course ridiculous. There has never been and will never be a causal link between piracy and other crime. There is probably a correlation between the two, but there is also a correlation between eating ice cream and violent crime so that doesn't mean much.
We already have the statutes in the 70's that effectively turned hearsay statements into factual documents that then could be used to get search warrants. This law, originally intended for the mafia, has made it possible for the war on drugs to be conducted.
The war on drugs of course has only driven up prices and locked up over 2 million Americans when all they need is drug treatment. Nowadays 3 in every 100 children have parents behind bars. This is a staggering social cost that we will be feeling for years to come until major reforms are introduced to reduce this burden.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Grammys... Not So Much by Iron Chef on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 10:21am
So I have to agree. You see, the wife called Friday before the Grammys and she wanted to plan a "Sunday night in to watch The Grammy Awards." Partially distracted by the spreadsheets in my hands, I thought she only said "Sunday night in". So like the infallible person I am, I said the usual "Yeah, hon. Sure." A few moments later after I put down the spreadsheet down did I realize what I had volunteered for, and did a little searching online. I looked and found out it was the Grammys. My search continued to the nominees on Wikipedia and was dismayed.
The day continued until it was 5:00 and I all but forgot about the conversation earlier. On the way home, I stopped by Costco and got a few staples- (Motor Oil, a ratchet set, and other things on the Honeydew list. On the way to the front, I stopped by the televisions and was amazed at this Sony HD Projection, I started daydreaming about it being in the family room, what I would watch, then I wondered how my wife would use it... I then remembered the conversation I had earlier.
Panicked, I started searching for a 'Get out of Jail Free' card. I searched up and down, left and right, then there it was, with a glimmering golden halo around it... ,a href="http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10205448&whse=BD_767&Mo=48&Nr=P_C atalogName:BD_767&Sp=C&topnav=bdoff#">Greek Pepperoncinis. I called my neighbor, a gastroenterologist and asked about the pretty yellow pepper's potency. After a short discussion, I was satisfied with my choice and preceded to the checkout line.
On the way home, I started planning my attack, and realized how much pain I would be in if I had to sit through the awards show, and I decided I needed to get started. There was no way I was going to be reeled into any awards ceremony this month. Before starting the car, I opened the jar and started eating them like they were candy. They really are okay! All throughout Saturday, I did the usual things- working on the car, and the jar. In preparation for the "Big Game" I started moving magazines I hadn't read and stuck them in the bathroom.
Sunday came and let's just I needed to go. It was quite possibly the best $4.97 I've ever spent.
I'm going to plan better for February 24th. There's another awards ceremony, but this time with actors. Even with Jon Stewart, I'm looking for volunteers that will need to be emergently driven to the hospital. (Let me know)
PS. Thanks, all you fine saints for maintaining the Wikipedia page and letting me know what I would have endured.
PPS. If for some reason this story gets forwarded thru the distribution list, I know where it started... Kathy.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Rekrul on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 10:50am
So wait, that scrawny asian guy selling bootleg CDs and DVDs at a local flea market is actually a member of the mob? Or a stone-cold murderer just out of prison? Wow, I guess it's a good thing my friend never went back to complain about the crummy bootleg he bought...
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
... by Anonymous Coward on Feb 21st, 2008 @ 1:03pm
them terrorists must be seriously well off, i mean if all them 'lost sales' go to osama i'm sure he'd have a better hide out than a cave.
and he wouldn't have knocked the WTC over, he'd have bought it.
as for cracking down on drug dealers.. where will all the 'poor artists' get their next fix from?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Att: GOLD by john k k on Mar 5th, 2008 @ 6:18am
Att:
DEAR SIR,
WE ARE A GROUP OF FIVE (5)AGENTS WITH MINING SITES BOTH IN ABIDJAN AND THE WESTERN AND EASTERN REGION OF BURKINAFASO, WE HAVE ACCUMULATED OUR PRODCTS I . E
GOLD DUST OVER ALONG PERIOD OF TIME WITH THE INTENTION OF DISPOSING TO UP-GRADE OUR MINES AND PRODUCTS AND CAN SUPPLY UP TO 350KGS WE ARE SELLING AT FIVE
THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED EURO PER KILO AND THE QUALITY IS 22 CARAT PLUS.
PROCEDURE PRIOR TO DEPOSIT PAYMENT, BUYER OR BUYER REPRESENTIVE WILL BE REQUIRED IN HERE TO INSPECT AND CONFIRM THE STOCK,A SAMPLE WILL BE TAKEN AND TESTED TO CONFIRM THE QUALITY, THE STOCK WILL BE SEALED IN METAL BOXES AND DEPOSITED IN A BANKS VAULT BY BOTH SELLER AND BUYER OR BUYERS REPRESNTATIVE FOR SAFE KEEPING IN BOTH NAMES,
WE WILL AT THIS STAGE PROCEED TO PREPARE THE EXPORT DOCUMENTS TO AIR LIFT THE STOCK TO ITS FINAL DESTINATION, A REPRESNTATIVE OF OUR COMPANY WILL ACCOMPANY THE GOODS TO COLLECT THE BALANCE DUE AT BUYER RESPONSE, WE WILL GIVE PHOTOCOPY OF ANY DOCUMENTS TO THE BUYER OR HIS REPRESENTATIVES, THE BUYER COLLECTS THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AFTER THE FINAL PHASE OF THE MERCHANDISE, WE PAY A MAXIMUM OF
FIVE PERCENT (5) TO ALL BROKERS, THE WILL BE SIGNEDLEGALLY, IN ADDITION, FIVE PERCENT (5) WILL BE ADDED FOR ANY LOSSED DURING REFINING.
WE SINCERELY HOPE THAT WITH THE ABOVE INFORMATION SUPPLIED. YOU WILL FIND YOUR WAY CLEAR AND COME TO ABIDJAN OR BURKINA FASO SOON TO ENABLE US WIND UP THE
TRANSACTION IN IT ENTIRETY. WHILST HOPING TO HEAR FROM YOU IN DUE COURSE.
WE ANTICIPATE YOUR CO-OPERATION IN ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THIS TRANSACTION. MEAN WHILE FOR US TO CONCLUDE THIS TRANSACTION IN SOONEST TIME WIYH THE
BUYER WE KINDLY DEMAND FOR YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION SUCH AS TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS FOR EASY COMMUNICATION .
N/B ALL CORRESPONDNCES MUST BE THROUGH ABIDJAN OFFICE
AND ATTN ;
BEST REGARDS.
Mr.JOHN.K.K
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
URGENT ASSISTANCE.. by Josephy Lee on Apr 14th, 2008 @ 3:26pm
FROM THE DESK OF:
GIROFINANCE. BANK LIMITED UK
BRANCH. BERKSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM
(USD 15,500.000.00 MILLION TO TRANSFER)
Dear SirMadam,
I am Josephy Lee Bank Manager of Girofinance Bank United kingdom. I have urgent and very confidential business proposal for you. An American Gold consultant/contractor with the South African Solid Gold Corporation, Mr Robert Hovey, made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$15,500,000.00 in my branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to the forwarding address but got no reply.
After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from the contract employers, the UK Solid Gold Corporation that Mr. Robert Hovey died at a plane crash in Alaska Airlines Flight 261(for more information about this crash and person you can contact this website:
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/ since we got this information about his death.
On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a will and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless. I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Robert Hovey did not declare any next of kin or relations in all the official documents, including the Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.
This sum of US$15,500,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever come forward to claim it. According to Legislation of United Kingdom, at the expiration of 6 (SIX) years, the money will revert into the ownership of the United Kingdom Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to Mr. Robert Hovey so that the fruits of this old man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials. This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full names and address so that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits that will put you in place as the next of kin. We shall employ the services of an attorney for drafting and notarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favour for the transfer.
A bank account in any part of the world that you will provide will then facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin. The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of 70% for me and 25% for you. Then 5%will be map out for any expenses that may occur during this transactions. There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the attorney and my position as the Branch Manager grantees the successful execution of this transaction.
If you are interested, please reply immediately via the private email address below. Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction. Please send me your fax together with your confidential telephone numbers for easy communication. Please observe utmost confidentiality, and rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.
Awaiting for your urgent reply via my confidential email address which is: (chamberlee41@yahoo.com)
Regards
Josephy Lee,
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Add Your Comment