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May 18, 2006
XM Radio sued by RIAA
Taking a break from persuing college students, dead grannies, and banging their heads into walls, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) filed a federal lawsuit against XM satellite radio.
SKY Report reports:
The Recording Industry Association of America, which counts as members major labels such as Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, EMI and Sony BMG, filed the suit late Tuesday in New York federal court. The litigation accuses XM of "massive wholesale infringement," and seeks $150,000 in damages for every song copied by XM customers using the device, which went on sale earlier this month. The litigation involves the Pioneer Inno XM2go radio.
XM responded in a statement:
"These are legal devices that allow consumers to listen to and record radio just as the law has allowed for decades," the company said in a statement. "The music labels are trying to stifle innovation, limit consumer choice and roll back consumers' rights to record content for their personal use." XM also claimed the suit "is a negotiating tactic on the part of the labels to gain an advantage in our private business discussions." The company said it's the largest single payer of digital music broadcast royalties, and royalties paid by XM go to the music industry and benefit artists directly. XM said it will "vigorously defend this lawsuit on behalf of consumers."
My comments after the jump.
I’ve written about my love of Sirius satellite radio and the immense superiority the service has over traditional radio. It never ceases to amaze me hearing a band like Tapes ‘n Tapes segueing into the latest Belle and Sebastian single on my freaking radio. I’m convinced the exposure these bands receive (entities the RIAA is in place of protecting) are nothing but positive. Why they would sue an avenue of publicity and promotion is beyond comprehension.
How many satellite radio users have been introduced to new music they otherwise wouldn’t have? As self important as music bloggers may feel, most people do not get their new music from online media blogs. Shocking to some, but at the end of the day MS and its ilk do not light a match to the mega reach of broadcasters, even (arguably) niche media channels like satellite radio.
How is recording music on traditional radio any different than recording music on satellite radio? Just because next generation devices make it easier to record shouldn’t make them illegal. Makes me wish they’d win so they can screw themselves further. Like cutting your nose off to spite your face.
Maybe the RIAA should start suing bands for sucking, oh wait sratch that.
Previously: Radio JACKasses and Hypocrisy | NAB, Diagram of an Indie Rock Show | Crossing over to Satellite Radio
Tags: Satellite Radio, XM, Sirius, Tapes 'n Tapes, Belle and Sebastian, XM2go
Posted by Merry Swankster at May 18, 2006 01:00 PM
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