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Welcome to the Sound Off Discussion Board, where parents from all walks of life and all parts of the world come together in one place to share their opinions and thoughts about the question of the week. Please remember that everyone is entitled to their opinion and the freedom to express it. Obscene posts are unwelcome and shall be removed from the board. Please keep in mind that this is a public board. Never post personal information that you would be uncomfortable sharing with others. Comments about this board should be sent to iParenting's Webmaster. Thank you for contributing! If you have a suggestion for the question of the week, send it to feedback@iparenting.com.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has filed lawsuits against 261 people - one being a 12-year-old girl -- who have downloaded and shared music on the Internet. Should it be illegal to share music files on the Web?

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LH ~
I'm fine! Just gearing up for a very busy 10 weeks ahead of me.
I made a flyer for Matt's cage but haven't gotten around to taking it in to the shops yet... I think I am procrastinating - I don't know why it's not like he's going to be in it some morning when I wake up. Miranda told me last night that she heard "Manni" whistle and this is what he sounds like and then started to mimic some of the things he used to say. He literally taught her to say "yeah baby".
Margarita
Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 13:47:07 (EDT)
Hi all! This is a boring topic so I haven't been checking in much! Not much to comment on except that my whole family downloads stuff...heck, I even make CDs for my friends as gifts sometimes! (A mix of their FAVS!)Yup, I'm a real criminal! LOL!!!

Margarita...how have you been? I haven't been doing too well with my TMJ...I am in alot of pain with it and just HATE this splint (niteguard) I have to wear! Hopefully someday I'll get my health back!! TC all!!!
LH
Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 02:11:24 (EDT)
AGoodwin~ no, no you never offend me!! =) I was just sharing one possibility of why the gov't may pay farmers to not plant. Do you mean that the gov't is actually telling farmers what they can and cannot plant????
I took online classes last quarter and they worked well for me - I took timed open book quizes and tests. Although they were open book they were timed so I still had to have a handle on the content to know where in the world to find answers and of course I would never have had time to look up every answer. The part I really love is that I can participate in my classroom whenever I want to (usually a discussion board) even if it is at 2 am. This works well with a toddler, although I am often tired. I am looking forward to my intro to teaching class, and then next quarter I take education practicum. I have one science and a music class, and 2 math classes to take and I will have all my pre-reqs out of the way to enter the teaching program in summer quarter. I took a practice WESTB test (Washington State educators have to take a test before they can even enter a teaching program) and only missed one - it was encouraging since I have been on a 10 yr break from school. I will register for my real WEST early next month and take it in Nov.
Boy I just wrote a book!
Margarita
Friday, September 19, 2003 at 19:04:00 (EDT)
I should have already been locked up some where. I mean I still record music off the radio and record my favorite tv shows and movies that come on. Not to mention the dvds and cds that people burn for me.
STOP being so greedy. Most of you are worth millions anyway. I mean what is up with that? Share the Wealth people. Geez.......
PHIL: It burns your bacon...that is too funny.
sc
Friday, September 19, 2003 at 17:50:49 (EDT)
Margarita: In your uncles case, it makes sense - especially if crop rotation is needed and the sole crop he produces requires that. My husband just watched a show on this, and apparantly there are crops we could be producing in the US, that we choose to import at much higher costs. Anyway, I hope I didn't offend you. I was just getting off topic. Also, my husband took intro. to teaching last year and loved it. Have you ever taken an online course before? I have not had the chance to do it myself (but am interested in it), but I'm not really sure how that works.
A Goodwin
Friday, September 19, 2003 at 16:52:16 (EDT)
N ~ I recorded music off the radio when I was a kid, too. I probably shouldn't admit that publicly, I might get in trouble now!! LOL.
A Goodwin ~ my husband's great uncle is a wheat farmer in Idaho State and we visit him every year at least once. I can tell you that the gov't has paid him to not plant on certain years to ensure that his land has time to rest so that in the long term that land will be able to produce more food than if he farmed it year after year after year and ruined it. I don't know if that is why every farmer who is paid by the gov't to not plant is compensated, but that is the reason this particular farmer is.
LH ~ whats up?
Well, my online classes started yesterday and Monday I start my on campus class - introduction to teaching. 20 credits this quarter, yikes what am I thinking?????
Margarita
Friday, September 19, 2003 at 15:34:36 (EDT)
Phil: Thanks for your insight. Isn't it always the way: big corporate scum get richer and richer, while the people who work to support it get poorer and poorer. I guess in today's society - your either at the top, or your not. The only problem is that everyone is so beaten down, that we're willing to take scraps than really push for our fair share of the pie. I liked your analogy on farmers. What's sad is that the government actually pays farmers NOT to work - meanwhile there are starving people in the United States. Make sense - no. Its all a big corporate scheme. Now, I am a huge music lover. Up until I got pregnant a few months ago, I was still going to concerts and clubs to hear my favorite music. There are artists out there that are WAY more talented than the Brittany Spears or the Justin Timberlakes of this world. But because they have pretty faces, and because the media has overplayed their music on pop radio (thus making big $$ for the corporate entities) - there is no room for those with real talent - who started out playing for real audiences, not just kiddie musketeers on the Micky Mouse Club. As I stated before, where does it make sense that we're going after all of those people for downloading music, when there are plenty of people out there peddling kiddie porn??? I guess there must be no money it that, huh.
A Goodwin
Friday, September 19, 2003 at 09:32:27 (EDT)
This whole topic of music on the net and the RIAA's lawsuit has so many issues intertwined that I don't even know where to start...this may end up somewhat disjointed.
The RIAA, as far as I'm concerned, is a bunch of crooks. They are only looking out for themselves, because they stand to lose more money than anyone else. That's right--not even the musicians, or creators of the "product" that the RIAA is in existence to promote, stand to lose as much as the record companies. Am I the only person who finds this just a little bit strange? I guess it is like so many things in this world where the people who put in the creative energy and/or execute the initial step receive a very small portion while everyone else up the chain gets filthy stinking rich on their backs. Take farming for instance...so many small or non-corporate farmers live more or less hand to mouth while all the marketing and exporting companies get quite wealthy, but the one thing they seem to conveniently forget is that without the farmers they would not exist. But I digress...
Anyway, taking a 12 year old to court just shows how low the RIAA is willing to go to defend their bank accounts. I heard a radio talk show a few months back where they talked to a rep from the RIAA and the guy was as slippery as they get. He swore up and down that the RIAA has little or no financial interest in these types of matters, while in the same show, an opponent in the debate said that an artist only makes between one and two dollars from the sale of every cd in the store. Kind of makes one curious where the rest of that money is going even after packaging and marketing costs doesn't it?
Musicians absolutely should be paid fairly for their work. I notice that more and more recently, new artists have their own web addresses listed in the liner notes of their recordings. I think that, in time, this approach will largely take care of the problem at hand because the artist is taking control from day one and selling on their own websites.
Then there is the issue of the music download sites. Frankly I don't know why anyone would want to risk the safety of their computers by using these sites. So many of them are full of viruses. A friend of mine recently toasted his computer totally due to a virus on kazaa. It went clean thru his Norton virus checker and wrote it off too. And no, it wasn't this recent round of worms and B.S. that got everyone excited; it was before that.
My next curiosity is how or why the RIAA singled out 261 individuals. Have they been building a list of offenders and these were the worst ones? Did they catch these people selling pirated music on the net?? Do they just like the the number 261???
In the end I guess I don't really know if sharing music on the net should be illegal. But my bottom line is this--music is something that should be enjoyed FIRST, and made into a business SECOND. As someone who really enjoys music, all this screwing around with the money side of it really burns my bacon if I make the mistake of paying any attention to the greedy buggers that run the industry.
There, I'm done venting. Have a great weekend everyone.
Philbert Flange
Friday, September 19, 2003 at 00:44:40 (EDT)
A GOODWIN-Wasn't that the time of the blackout ;) I know DH and I were busy that night...
SH
Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 12:32:58 (EDT)
Well, as a parent i feel a child that kids are getting to many things and for nothing BUT i believe that kids deserves to be kids, now saying this, i remember when i was 12 - 13y/old and recorded the top ten on the radio sunday mornings and nothing happen and if something did i wouldnt of known i was doing something wrong .. at 12 y/old you know right from wrong but when everybody does it a 12 y/old will not think about what she is doing is wrong and illegal .. I don't think a child should pay for what the adults have created and that is access to documents/software/music etc etc on the internet .. if the music industry kept an eye open with what was happenning they would of done something a long time ago .. stop all those download sites like they did with Napster .. lets be fair here !!!!!
N
email: shtyis@hotmail.com
Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 23:11:15 (EDT)
Well, as a parent i feel a child that kids are getting to many things and for nothing BUT i believe that kids deserves to be kids, now saying this, i remember when i was 12 - 13y/old and recorded the top ten on the radio sunday mornings and nothing happen and if something did i wouldnt of known i was doing something wrong .. at 12 y/old you know right from wrong but when everybody does it a 12 y/old will not think about what she is doing is wrong and illegal .. I don't think a child should pay for what the adults have created and that is access to documents/software/music etc etc on the internet .. if the music industry kept an eye open with what was happenning they would of done something a long time ago .. stop all those download sites like they did with Napster .. lets be fair here !!!!!
N
email: shtyis@hotmail.com
Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 23:09:57 (EDT)
Hi my name is Chris and i am responding to the 12 year old girl and every other thing basically.See i think its not right to get sued for downloading a couple of songs or downloading alot of them the stupid musicians are rich any way so whats wrong with helping people save money instead of them taking the childrens money?They need to lay out and relax because if they are already rich they shouldn't be wining about how they are losing some money because their whole life in my opion can make it with out some money.But if any of yall have any other different opions post it up
Chris
email: Crash_override2001@msn.com
Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 21:57:46 (EDT)
I am the proud Father of two.
A Son, 6 and a daughter 3. I
do not think the child should
be given back to her Mom .What
could happen to this child
next time. Think about what
this child has indured behind
closed doors. This is how
children slip through the cracks, and end up badly hurt
or even dead. My children were
abused by their Mom, and I had
this on Video tape, and now I
am trying to get the tapes in
court. They say that violates
their privacy. Excuse me...
What about the childs safety..
M.Toogood needs help--Anger Management, Therapy, Parenting class.
Protect this child...She can
not protect herself. More
people need to take a stand
on the issue of abused children, and how it is too
often swept under the rug.
Thank you
Mark
Mark
Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 21:28:39 (EDT)
Jessica: I too think the music industry is a bit greedy. While I believe that artists should be compensated (let's face it, most times they didn't ask for their songs to be put out there on the internet), I agree that we need to show the music industry that we're sick of paying too much for music. Even bands are sick of it too - Pearl Jam a few years back fought with Ticketmaster to keep the prices of tickets at $18. They apparantly lost...I just went to a concert and my ticket cost $60 (including taxes).

SC: Between you, SH, and myself...we all must have been really busy at the end of July/Beginning of August. LOL. My EDD is April 29th. Congrats.


A Goodwin
Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 20:52:05 (EDT)
The parents should know what their kid is doing online. Instead of downloading music why don't people just burn a copy? Less time. Less risk.
Robert
Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 20:42:34 (EDT)
In responce to the 12 year-old girl being sued for down loading music I was so shocked. I can't believe the music industry. I don't think that they lose that much money where they have to go sue people. They sill recieve money from concerts, CDs, and other merchendice. Do they feel that they don't hve enough money, or that they must take money from others that might not have the money to go out and by CDs, but greatly enjoy music? I think this will cause many people to dislike music artist for doing this, and I think that people should do something about it. I believe that we as people should show them what lack of money feels like. We should boycot everything that brings them money...show them how it really feels to have their wallets hurting. As a parent I want my child to have a musicly enriched life, and I can't afford to go out and buy every CD or tape that I think would be approiate for her to listen to, so why shouldn't I be able to download it especally if it's for one song. How many of you have went out and bought an album for just a few songs? We shouldn't have to spend money on an entire album that we don't listen to. So in closing I would like to say lets hit them where it hurts!
Jessica
email: inannavii@yahoo.com
Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 18:59:05 (EDT)
If dowloading music off of the internet is illegal, then what is next? No radio. You can still record music off the radio. The music industry is greedy!
Dawn
Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 18:28:09 (EDT)
A GOODWIN: I am in my 7th week. The baby is due to come around the 6th of May, which is kind of neat since my birthday is the 5th. I have been really paranoid about getting sick. I still have a ways to go so it will probably happen soon. :(
I also keep saying that I don't feel pregnant. (I probably just jinxed myself.) Well, take care and I hope you feel better.
sc
Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 18:08:28 (EDT)
SC: Well, I've had m/s for the last..humm..three weeks - I'm 8 weeks along. Anyway, it comes it goes. I try to snack all day but stay within my range. When are you due, anyway?? Your so lucky you feel well. I didn't think I would have it either. I kept telling my family that I didn't even feel pregnant. Well, then I ate a bananna one night and it was all overwith. Hope your doing well.
A Goodwin
Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 20:56:02 (EDT)
I personally don't think that a 12 yr. old girl should have been punished for sharing music online. I really don't think that she meant to cause trouble for anyone. She just liked the music.

By the way, A GOODWIN, when did you start having morning sickness? Sorry about that. So far I have been lucky. I haven't had any nausea but I still eat crackers and drink lots of water all through out the day. Maybe that is why I haven't been sick. :) I hope it doesn't last that long for you. Good luck with your baby.
sc
Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 19:03:49 (EDT)
SH, Riley's Mom, Margarita: Thanks for the advice. I've been trying to eat a snack before I go to bed, but even last night I woke up hungry. I've heard ginger is good, but I haven't had the chance to buy some. I'll have to check out the peppermint tea as well. Thanks, ladies!!!
A Goodwin
Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 13:41:59 (EDT)
A GOODWIN-I have been pretty lucky, that's for sure. Don't worry though, it's all worth it in the end. If you think this is bad, wait till you're huge and sooooo uncomfortable! For me that was the worst, I just wanted to be sedated until after she was born :) Sometimes I can't believe that I'm doing it all again so soon. I guess the reward is better than the punishment. Hope the suggestions from the other ladies help you :)
SH
Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 11:32:25 (EDT)
I know it's wrong stealing music thru internet but then why let sites like kazaa.com continue letting people downloading its software for free and having access to thousands of music, video, games, etc., when people see its free go and get it, they don't know if its illegal or not, kazaa don't say it's illegal, I think instead of punish people, they need to punish those sites.
What do you think?
Vicky
Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 07:49:30 (EDT)
Previewing a song to see if you want to buy it is one thing, and should be available. Purposely downloading any- and everything in order to avoid paying for it is another. The artist deserves to recieve payment for their work! We don't expect musicians to play for free, authors to give away all their books, or ball players to play games for nothing. How is stealing music any different than any of these other issues? We are already sabotaging music and arts in the schools- are we going to go further and sabotage all recording artists as well? It's fine to get inspired or to research, but otherwize, prosecute away.
Tracy
email: tjrbass@hotmail.com
Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 02:19:17 (EDT)
Peppermint tea is always good for a sick tummy. And if you like them candied ginger. These remedies have been around for ages. I wasn't sick with my son, but these work other times I have been nausous.
Riley's Mom
Monday, September 15, 2003 at 22:51:42 (EDT)
Whooooo hoooo. I am going crazy today - toddler constantly demanding crazy.
I have mixed opinions on this topic but really I know nothing of the laws about it so I haven't much to offer. I agree the artists do deserve to be paid for their work.
A Goodwin - try keeping some saltines by your bedside and eating them and drinking a glass of water slowly before getting out of bed. I never had m/s while I was pg however I read that this works and have actually used it when I have been feeling nasueas from waiting too long to eat - feeling sick and hungry at the same time. Hope it helps.
Margarita
Monday, September 15, 2003 at 20:38:23 (EDT)
Riley's Mom: I wasn't saying it was ok just because she paid for what the rest of us get for free. I just said that I can see where she might have been easily confused (which is what her defense was) since she did pay for it, and thought that it covered the cost of downloading. And I agree...artists should get paid for their work. But not for the $20 it cost to make a 50 cent CD! (Not to mention the $60 per person to see them play in concert for two hours; and the $40 for a cheap t-shirt). I think the websites that are going to work best are the ones who ask people to pay the, say, $1.00 fee for downloading. The good thing is that they are all ready out there. My gripe is that it is a 12 year old girl. I just wish that the governement and other industries where as diligent in prosecuting, say, internet pornographers and child pornographers as they seem to be in dealing with internet song downloaders.

SH: You are so lucky! Arg...I woke up this morning around 4:30 starving and feeling sick at the same time. What is up with this! I think that walking helps, though. Maybe it jiggles my belly around to get the "hot air" out. Glad your feeling great...lucky dog.
A Goodwin
Monday, September 15, 2003 at 13:07:04 (EDT)
It is pretty ridiculous for the authorities to go after a 12 year old girl. Especially since she didn't know she was doing anything wrong, but then where do they draw the line? Is she any less wrong than a 40 yr old who was being naive?
I agree with A GOODWIN on what is the difference between recording a song off the radio or downloading it? Or burning a copy of a friend's CD? The sound quality there is pretty much the same, and no one is making a profit (except the company who sold the blank CD for less than $1).
I'm not usually a fence-sitter, but I am on this topic. Artists should be paid for their work (maybe not as much as is being charged though!) and people shouldn't steal music.
I also don't know the laws on this issue well enough to really say what is right or wrong, but I'm interested to see what other's opinions are on this matter.

A GOODWIN-Hey, how's your PG going??? I'm doing great, haven't had m/s in about a week. I'm feeling really b%#*hy and tired lately though. Maybe running around after my crawling 9 month (almost) old has something to do with that :)

SH
Monday, September 15, 2003 at 12:25:37 (EDT)
Being a photographer, I think it is wrong for the artist to not be paid for their work. Radio station pay to play music. These people who use shared software don't pay the artist to be able to distribute their music. It is essentionally stealing. That being said, a twelve year old is still under her parents care and they should be held accountable.
A Goodwin you mentioned her paying a monthly fee for the downloading software. That money isn't going to the proper people.
It's theft.
Riley's Mom
Monday, September 15, 2003 at 11:47:02 (EDT)
I certainly do not think a 12 year old girl should have gotten in trouble for sharing music on-line. I know of many individuals who download music all the time and have never gotten caught...so why would they pick on a child? In the end, the parent had to pay for it - not the child. I can see where the mother would have been confused too...she actually paid a monthly fee for the download software.

I personally think that we should be able to download music for two reasons. First of all, what is the difference (besides sound quality) of taping a song off the radio and downloading a song? Each were NOT purchased by the listener. Secondly, the music industry is divided on this one...some in the industry want to make it a crime; some want it legal so that their music can actually get heard. Its a double standard.

I just personally think its rediculous about this young lady. Its not like she was uploading heavy metal...or some other deviant music. She was uploading Disney theme songs and show tunes.
A Goodwin
Monday, September 15, 2003 at 08:47:47 (EDT)