Embed A Music Youtube Video, The RIAA Wants To See You In Jail For That

A very dangerous bill is coming up for vote soon in the senate called SB 978. The bill was introduced and sponsored by Senators Klobuchar, Cornyn, and Coons. Senate Bill 978 seeks to define a civil violation as a criminal felony, making the embedding of a YouTube video that is viewed by more than 10 people in a 180-day period worth 5 years in federal prison.

Remember that "Friday" video you posted and embedded last month on your facebook, the RIAA wants you in jail for that. I know what you are thinking..."this bill will never pass, it is so draconian." I just want you to know, the bill was introduced by a Democrat and has bipartisan support. Also our sitting president is the darling of the RIAA thanks to maxed out campaign contributions.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) offered the following statement from its Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Industry Relations, Mitch Glazier on the legislation:
"On behalf of a music community that has lost thousands of jobs to piracy, we are frustratingly familiar with the damaging impact of online theft," said Glazier. "As the music industry continues its transition from selling CDs to providing fans convenient access to a breadth of legal music online, laws that provide effective enforcement against new and developing forms of content theft are essential to the health of our business.
"We thank and applaud Senators Klobuchar, Cornyn and Coons for their important work on S. 978 and we look forward to working with Senate and House members as they continue to develop effective legislation that provides enforcement against the piracy that robs the creative community and American economy of jobs, innovation and compensation."

Here is the offending wording of the bill incase you think people are blowing this out of proportion:

shall be imprisoned not more than 5 years, fined in
the amount set forth in this title, or both, if--
(A) the offense consists of 10 or more public
performances by electronic means, during any 180-day
period, of 1 or more copyrighted works

Don't think they are planning on targeting people for this? The official Register of Copyrights, Maria Pallante, stated this: "One might ask why it is not sufficient to prosecute streaming as a misdemeanor. The fact is, as a practical matter, prosecutors have little incentive to file charges for a mere misdemeanor. This means that, compared to similar infringing conduct involving the large-scale making or distributing of copies (e.g. DVDs of a movie), streaming is not only a lesser crime on the books, it is a crime that may never be punished at all. As a matter of policy, the public performance right should enjoy the same measure of protection from criminals as the reproduction and distribution rights; prosecutors should have the option of seeking felony penalties for such activity, when appropriate."



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Tags:  RIAA, piracy   

Jason Fisher    June 09, 2011