File sharing 'contained' says RIAA chief

File sharing 'contained' says RIAA chief
The CEO of The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) believes that the illegal swapping of copyrighted music online has been "contained," saying the legal digital downloads continues to expand while unorthorized music trading online has seen flat growth.

"The problem has not been eliminated," says RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol. "But we believe digital downloads have emerged into a growing, thriving business, and file-trading is flat."



The Supreme Court Ruling back in June of last year ruled that P2P services could be held accountable for the activites of users. As a result, several P2P networks were closed including WinMX in September and Grokster last November.

Despite the closure of many P2P networks, the trading of music files online still remains popular. According to Internet analysis firm BigChampagne, 10 million users now swap files, which is an increase from 8.7 million last year. But the firm also added that the rapid rise in Internet piracy is now beginning to level off as a result of the music industry's continued enforcement and education programs. Additionally, the success of legit online music stores such as Apple's iTunes Music Store (which has sold over one billion tracks), has greatly assisted the rise of digital music, according to industry executives.

To date, the RIAA has sued over 18,000 filesharers, with 4,500 of them settling for fines of around $4,000 per case. While album sales are down 3% this year, Bainwol says digital sales, which are up 77%, make up for the shortfall.

Source:
USA Today

Written by: Ben Reid @ 13 Jun 2006 15:47
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  • 41 comments

  • gogochar

    I may backup a lot of music CDs, but I don't think I ever used a P2P provider for anything else besides getting rare movie *footage* (not copyrighted movies, but home-made movies). Having said that, I think it's time for me to stop P2P usage all together. Besides, I think I have a virus from BearShare!

    13.6.2006 15:52 #1

  • Kazi

    "contained"? Lets just let em think this and maybe they'll quit.

    o.o digital sales up 77%... um that will more than make up for the 3% decrease.

    13.6.2006 16:20 #2

  • Pop_Smith

    Hahahha maybe they will quit harrassing us now with their stupid lawsuits and pointless "education" programs. All I can say is, I wonder if the CEO received notice that The Pirate Bay has successfully become operational once again, even if its not running at as high of a level as it was, before he made this statement.

    Peace,

    Pop Smith

    EDITED by Pop_Smith for grammar (like usual) :P

    13.6.2006 16:52 #3

  • spiesfan

    sureee

    13.6.2006 16:52 #4

  • dikdimond

    All these statements are mere propaganda to make the general public believe that the RIAA is accomplishing anything,which they are not. We all know the real truth...p2p filesharing,in any form,copyrighted material or not,will never be "contained".

    13.6.2006 17:10 #5

  • augerpro

    And the next time some legislation comes up in congress that threatens they're control the RIAA will be screaming how piracy is out of control and about to bankrupt them...I heard this same crap from them last year

    13.6.2006 20:01 #6

  • dubire

    The RIAA must of asked this question

    have we won the battle with p2p

    COMPUTER SAY'S NO!!!!

    the RIAA said to hell with it we will lie

    13.6.2006 22:44 #7

  • tetrakis

    Quote:Internet piracy is now beginning to level off as a result of the music industry's continued enforcement and education programs.right...their "education programs" are the reason. As long as the RIAA is this diluted, they will never be a threat.

    14.6.2006 04:46 #8

  • daemonzx6

    to have "contained" filesharing is about as possible as it is to sue every single person that has ever downloaded copyright material. it just hasn't happened, won't happen, and never will happen.
    Personally, I have stopped downloading music as much as I used to, but thats because my collection has sort of topped out, and there is just nothing good left to download. Every once in a while I'll find something good, but I haven't downloaded MUSIC in several months.
    Of course I dl tv shows all the time, and movies too. tv shows because whatever is on my TV has every right to be on my hard drive. movies because I end up buying them eventually or I pay out big cash to see them in theatres. they make too much money anyway, and everybody knows and understands that.

    14.6.2006 05:57 #9

  • matamoros

    Declare victory and go home. A good strategy. All the negative publicity perhaps has made a difference.

    14.6.2006 09:24 #10

  • jziman

    Well I look at it this way. I dont download music any more. I have not bought a cd for over 5 years. All i do is i just turn on my XM and get what I want. Now these greedy bastards are going after them!!! Ugh ill never win.

    14.6.2006 13:01 #11

  • flyingv

    Quote:

    "The problem has not been eliminated," says RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol. "But we believe digital downloads have emerged into a growing, thriving business, and file-trading is flat."

    It's flat because everything that everyone wants has already been downloaded and not to mention most of the newer stuff coming out is crap anyway and no one wants it taking up disc space on their computers.

    14.6.2006 14:20 #12

  • c4iscool

    "It's flat because everything that everyone wants has already been downloaded and not to mention most of the newer stuff coming out is crap anyway and no one wants it taking up disc space on their computers." Amen!!!!!

    14.6.2006 16:37 #13

  • LCOBRA

    ditto

    14.6.2006 16:53 #14

  • Cinnjerm

    Whatever helps them sleep at night. It seems like their trying to blind people from the fact there isnt a damn thing they can do about piracy.

    14.6.2006 17:36 #15

  • hot_ice

    Good for them, they are a satisfied delusional bunch.

    15.6.2006 08:03 #16

  • flyingv

    delusional bunch, YES!!! Satisfied, doubtfull...

    15.6.2006 08:26 #17

  • esrever

    They're just people trying to earn their paychecks...unfortunately everybody also hates them.

    15.6.2006 10:09 #18

  • hot_ice

    There are better ways to earn your paycheck while maintaining a modicum of integrity.

    15.6.2006 11:49 #19

  • max777

    I guess when you belong to the RIAA and your ip address is banned/blacklisted, you might get the impression less people are sharing files! lol!!

    15.6.2006 23:23 #20

  • bluedogs

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHa the joke of the Im say.
    These guys are kidding arnt they? (retorical question)
    But I suppose a lie will alsways top the truth

    You idiots. I can not believe people would actually believe this rot

    16.6.2006 02:14 #21

  • 7Phoenix

    Now record companies are pushing for an increase in the price of music downloads. iTunes charges almost a $1 (55p) for one song, and now they want a raise??? In europe and japan its 79p which obviously higher and still they want more? now that rises the question... why so much music swaping?....
    Answer:
    BECAUSE THEY'RE SUCKING US DRY!!!!!!
    Almost (note the ALMOST) everybody in the music industry are a bunch of bloody greedy bastards!

    16.6.2006 03:38 #22

  • kevinv

    I just think that they want to think that they have accomplished soimething. In fact they say that it has leveled, but in a week or so, they will come back and say it is on the rise, and we need higher fines, higher cost on cds and higher cast for pay downloads.

    16.6.2006 04:00 #23

  • Mez

    Good for them I think! Does that mean they will step up or slow down their hunt for pirates. I suspect they do not really care they just want to save face.

    1 USD per tune is the real piracy.

    16.6.2006 04:16 #24

  • turkeyssr

    4500 * $4000 = $18 million to sue people. Most of it probably goes to the lawyers, but still that's a lot of money for simply suing people. The RIAA will never be able to do anything to redeem themselves in my eyes, but hey, that's just me.

    16.6.2006 05:51 #25

  • rbrock

    you get it from your friends, the libaery, cable tv, online radio, its everywhere IF THERE IS OUTPUT THERE IS INPUT they should just go home with their tails between their legs and The record people should put out music we would want all 9 or 10 songs from the cd insteed of one damn song per cd Then I would buy it !

    16.6.2006 13:52 #26

  • drakshug

    I'd agree with the comments that music downloading may be 'flat' due to there being nothing decent to download. I haven't seen an album I'd like for about three months but when I torrent there are exactly the same number of seeders and leechers as a year ago. Their letters may be sacring people in some countries but many of us know that they don't have free reign anywhere. Heck, my service provider has it's own LDC++ site and they are the National telecom so who is going to enforce it?

    16.6.2006 14:21 #27

  • ZippyDSM

    2 words.....


    MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

    16.6.2006 18:17 #28

  • chaney

    I'm happy that they're happy...

    BTW, dumb question... How do they find all these people that are sued?

    17.6.2006 01:32 #29

  • drakshug

    They ask your service provider and trawl the torrents as the addresses are on them. They have even been known to hack sites. They also get the IP addresses from any servers that have been seized though many sites doon't keep logs.
    I have a feeling that many 'fake' torrents are actually RIAA and MPAA ways of getting IP addresses.

    17.6.2006 01:37 #30

  • borhan9

    Quote:The CEO of The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) believes that the illegal swapping of copyrighted music online has been "contained," saying the legal digital downloads continues to expand while unorthorized music trading online has seen flat growth.

    "The problem has not been eliminated," says RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol. "But we believe digital downloads have emerged into a growing, thriving business, and file-trading is flat."    How silly are these people when they say that it is contained. Its not contained and nor will it ever be. When they come to get the networks the networks move its as simple as that.

    17.6.2006 05:35 #31

  • hot_ice

    I believe its important that we find out exactly how they trace your IP.

    Perhaps, but I would have to ask a lawyer, maybe you can sue your isp provider for divulging your personal information to these people...

    17.6.2006 12:15 #32

  • Kilos13

    They're trying to scare people with all these lawsuits and false statements, I LOVE IT!!! ahaha every time I read another one of these articles I can't help but laugh .

    17.6.2006 15:00 #33

  • flyingv

    hot_ice:
    Good point!!! But god only knows that with the laws here in the USA, under the "Patriot Act", they will surely use this as some type of a loophole. So much for freedom, uh?

    18.6.2006 06:21 #34

  • hot_ice

    Unless someone becomes a mole in the RIAA, and elaborates on their tactics, I believe we can only come to speculate on how they discover who's downloading what. However, their should be more posts on how to conceal your IP, "from prying eyes" for your own safety and security.

    18.6.2006 11:53 #35

  • ZippyDSM

    hot_ice
    thier hacking thats obvious,they can hack us here from brittian and other off shore palces they also data mine and do other.....not so clean or lealge things but they rarely get cought becuse they pay the goverment off *L*

    In anycase they are use gray aera means to tag and bag....its ironic in someways..but life is full of ..it :P

    I have a brain...I think......

    Windows Vister
    I dub thee vister untill thee can prove thyself.

    I aint the brightest bulb around but I can feel my way in the dark...

    I fuzzy braind mew =0_o=

    FIGHT THE M.A.F.I.A.A.
    "Music And Film Industry Association of America.."

    18.6.2006 13:49 #36

  • hot_ice

    I've come to the same deduction Zippy, although speculative it may seem, the suspicion behind their tactics warrants us, the common customer, to inquire on their "methods".

    Hmmm, an organization should be spawned, to protect the identity of an individual over the internet, one of course that's not for profit.

    18.6.2006 17:06 #37

  • Ballpyhon

    Everytime i think about this subject i cant help but wonder why the RIAA and all the Anti-piracy organizations out there only target people downloading music and movies and software. Let me ask this question, How much copyrighted porn on the net is being shared on P2P networks? Why arent the copyright infringers of porn being tracked down and sued? If MS or Apple had a slice of the porn industry, the anti-piracy branch of the porn industry would be the leader of the lynchmob. I cant recall anytime seeing an article about someone seizeing computers containing illegally downloaded porn. The only time porn on the net is even an issue is when it is kiddy porn. What scares me more about this issue is that ANYONE can download porn. it is more readlily available on the net then music, movies or software combined. If you dont believe me, go to a search engine and search for "porn" then see the results. after that type in "music downloads". which do you have to pay for first? MUSIC!! i dont know what the exact numbers are, but i can find well over 100 thousand times as many free pornography pictures then i can free mp3s.

    18.6.2006 21:14 #38

  • drakshug

    They are definately hacking and definately using false files to harvest IPs. They are probably using web spiders and bots too.
    Music downloading and film downloading is pretty much a must for me as:
    1. Availability. Can't get half the stuff in the shops here, especially the rare films.
    2. Cost. Anyone fancy paying the equivalent of 60 pounds or 60 dollars for a cd?
    3. Internet. Many sites don't accept payment from Lithuania due to Scams originating from here in the past.
    So, how do I get em. Torrents. If I really like the album I'll save up and buy it if I find it but English language films are hard to get, especially the classics.
    So far, no one has even had a letter here but I expect the time will come.
    Now, Some solutions. Can't they put a small levy on the price of blank CDs and DVDs to help pay for the royalties? Some countries do this I believe. Can't they listen to the artists themselves? I know that in Canada as reported here, the artists are against hounding downloaders.
    Can't they realise that it is here to stay. In the days of cassettes everybody copied records and copied music off the radio onto tape. How many have films on VHS off the TV. With the internet it is just easier and the powers that be have got to adapt positively with the times.
    Here in Lithuania, by law, it is legal to make a back up copy of any film, program or music bought legally, for ones own use - including MS operating systems. If they come to my door, everything is back up.

    19.6.2006 00:08 #39

  • hot_ice

    The RIAA are criminals protected under the law. Go figure.

    19.6.2006 09:36 #40

  • Retro_rc

    Yeah Pretty Much Contained I See

    G2g My torrent is almost over

    27.6.2006 15:52 #41

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