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: Recording Industry vs The People

Please do NOT contribute any funds to the "Joel Fights Back" campaign #jfb

By Ty Rogers and Ray Beckerman

I received an email which said the following:

Debbie Rosenbaum sent a message to the members of Joel Fights Back Against RIAA.

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Subject: Verdict is in ... $675,000

As many of you have already heard, a verdict came in yesterday against Joel for $675,000.

A grassroots campaign was started earlier today by individuals who aspire to help raise money in order for Joel not to have to file for bankruptcy. The idea is that if every file-sharer donated $.99 or the price of a few albums, a resounding message could be sent to the RIAA from the court of public opinion.

Because many people have been asking, we wanted to share the location where money is being collected: http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.joelfightsback.com.

Constant updates from Joel and his team at http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.twitter.com/joelfightsback.

I do not understand what that email means. It seems to be saying that they are trying to raise money with which to PAY THE RIAA.

It would be insane for people who are opposed to the RIAA's litigation campaign to take up a collection for the RIAA. Anyone who wants to help fight the RIAA should be contributing money TO THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING THE RIAA.

The best vehicle would be the FSF's Expert Witness Defense Fund, which has helped to retain technical experts and consultants for the defendants in:

UMG Recordings v. Lindor;
Capitol Records v. Thomas-Rasset; and
UMG Records v. Roy.

The only "message" that would be sent by contributing money to pay to the RIAA is that the RIAA is right to be doing what it is doing.

If you believe that, then be my guest.

If I have read the email incorrectly, and it means something else, I'd like to know what it means. The defendant's attorneys are representing him pro bono, so it's not for attorneys fees.

-R.B.

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Full post as published by Recording Industry vs The People on August 02, 2009 (boomark / email).