The MPAA & RIAA keep shooting themselves in the foot, and cutting their nose to spite their face, and so many other cliches it's sickening.
As they continue with their illegal, unjust, extortion masked as lawsuits, I wonder how many others, that are actually aware of what's going on (it's very clear most don't "get it" from talking to people about this, unfortunately), are doing the same thing that I'm doing.

I used to buy a LOT of tapes, CDs, records, software, VHS, and DVD movies.

An average of several of each EVERY MONTH!

But, for over two years now, since they started their self-defeating and consumer hurtful actions, I have in protest radically change my buying habits. And I will continue it for as long as they continue their Mafia-like tactics. This includes the regulations they keep trying to sneak into congress, as well as their litigation practices of intimidation of those who can not afford to defend themselves.
Click the READ MORE link for the details of what I've done to address this issue, what others can do, and the letter I sent to our US Congressperson.

1. I NEVER buy any CD, DVD, Video Tapes, Casette Tapes, Pay-for Music Downloads, etc. from any vendor "new" any more. I will not give them a single penny to fund their terrorism of their customers.

2. I only buy CDs, DVDs, tapes, etc. from second hand stores. And only ones that do NOT pay any fees to RIAA. This mostly includes pawn shops and the like. Never major chains that have a "used cd" section. This not only saves me a bundle (I buy 20-30 CDs at a time, for around $1-2$ each!), but introduces me to a much broader range of music than I could have found or afforded previously.

3. I only buy new CDs or DVDs from artists that are NOT RIAA or MPAA members.

4. I don't buy ANY products (new) from any companies that are members of the RIAA or MPAA. That most especially includes Sony and many others. See the links at the end of this article for the lists of the members' products to help boycott as well. It's a pain sometimes, but there are quality companies and products out there who are not members of those cartels. This includes blank CDs, blank DVDs, players, TVs, computer equipment, you name it. I almost never go to movie theaters anymore (only when wife drags, because of the kids), and I'm trying to find any independent film theaters to go to and support instead. If you know any in the Spokane area, please let me know.

5. I try to spread the word as much as possible to everyone I can to do the same, and it's slowly working.

6. I constantly contact my congressmen every time the RIAA and MPAA try to sneak another attempt at destroying what is left of Copyright "fair use" law. Thanks to www.efff.org keeping everyone alerted.

7. During my broadcasts I take time in every show to inform the listeners as to what I'm doing, and what the RIAA & MPAA are up to.

And yet, they still continue. What more can I do? I don't know, but I'd love feedback on what you do, if anything to fight back against the RIAA & MPAA, and any suggestions you might have in addition to what I've listed above.
Please educate and enlighten all your friends and family!

Link to list of RIAA member companies (to boycott):
http://www.riaa.com/about/members/default.asp

Link to list of MPAA member companies (to boycott):
http://www.mpaa.org/about/


The Electronic Frontier Foundation (www.eff.org) has a great notification email list that keeps you posted on all the good, bad, and ugly about anything to do with your electronic rights. Subscribe to them today. They provide you with forms to contact your congressmen when something is trying to be passed, etc.
Subscribe here:


Here's the RIAA yet again (monthly attempts it seems) trying to lobby congress to take away "Fair use":
https://secure.eff.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=181


Now, I realize it's always easier to criticize than offer solutions, but many prominent individuals and organizations have offered far better solutions than the courses taken by the MPA/MPAA & RIAA, but they continue to ignore these far more positive and productive solutions.

I will try to gather together on my website a list of all the alternatives that could/should be considered instead. But there needs to be significant economic sanctions against these entities, by the consumers, and the representatives of consumers in the US Government, before they will be willing to consider any other possibilities unfortunately.


-Hawke


Below is the text of the letter I sent to my congressperson from that eff.org link. As my Representative, I urge you to investigate and oppose the
Analog Content Protection Act, Broadcast Flag Authorization Act and HD Radio Content Protection Act, proposed by the RIAA and MPAA to Congress at the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Content Protection in the Digital Age, on Thursday, November 3rd, 2005.

Innovation depends on the ability to creatively add functionality to existing systems. If digital television and radio were to be locked down, it would limit my ability to use digital signals in the same ways I currently listen to, watch and use radio and television. If the RIAA and MPAA were to have their way, every future digital radio in every car and home would be limited to the uses that Hollywood executives currently imagine they could accept. Every digital television would be locked down by fixed rules, so that open source developers and American innovators could not adapt or improve upon them. And every audiovisual device - including DVD recorders, camcorders, VHS VCRs with digital outputs - would be encumbered with red tape and constant upgrading.

None of these restrictions will impede or punish digital piracy; they will merely impede and punish innocent American television, radio and computer owners. Indeed, when consumers realiae they can do even less with their digital media than they could do with analog equivalents, it would be no surprise if they chose to seek out freely available content with no such restrictions.

Each of these proposals is an incredible and far-reaching attempt by an industry to control and limit consumer choice, to constrict and cripple future audio and video technology, and to eliminate the fair use rights of American citizens.

I'm a perfect example of how the RIAA and MPAA are driving me away as a consumer, musician, song writer, and owner of an Information Technology & Security company.

I used to buy a LOT of tapes, CDs, records, software, VHS, and DVD movies.

An average of several of each EVERY MONTH!

But, for over two years now, since they started their self-defeating and consumer hurtful actions, I have in protest radically change my buying habits. And I will continue it for as long as they continue their Mafia-like tactics. This includes the regulations they keep trying to sneak into congress, as well as their litigation practices of intimidation of those who can not afford to defend themselves.

1. I NEVER buy any CD, DVD, Video Tapes, Casette Tapes, Pay-for Music Downloads, etc. from any vendor "new" any more. I will not give them a single penny to fund their terrorism of their customers.

2. I only buy CDs, DVDs, tapes, etc. from second hand stores. And only ones that do NOT pay any fees to RIAA. This mostly includes pawn shops and the like. Never major chains that have a "used cd" section. This not only saves me a bundle (I buy 20-30 CDs at a time, for around $1-2$ each!), but introduces me to a much broader range of music than I could have found or afforded previously. But it unfortunately also hurts those same local businesses, and as a business owner myself, I generally try to always support local businesses as much as possible.

3. I only buy new CDs, downloads or DVDs from artists that are NOT RIAA or MPAA members. Independent labels and artists.

4. I don't buy ANY products (new) from any companies that are members of the RIAA or MPAA. That most especially includes Sony and many others. See the links at the end of this article for the lists of the members' products to help boycott as well. It's a pain sometimes, but there are quality companies and products out there who are not members of those cartels. This includes blank CDs, blank DVDs, players, TVs, computer equipment, you name it. I almost never go to movie theaters anymore (only when wife drags, because of the kids), and I'm trying to find any independent film theaters to go to and support instead. If you know any in the Spokane area, please let me know.

5. I try to spread the word as much as possible to everyone I can to do the same, and it's slowly working.

6. I constantly contact my congressmen every time the RIAA and MPAA try to sneak another attempt at destroying what is left of Copyright "fair use" law. Thanks to www.efff.org keeping everyone alerted.

7. During my audio broadcasts I take time in every show to inform the listeners as to what I'm doing, and what the RIAA & MPAA are up to.

And yet, they still continue, and seem to be getting bolder in their inane actions.

Now, I realize it's always easier to criticize than offer solutions, but many prominent individuals and organizations have offered far better solutions than the courses taken by the MPA/MPAA & RIAA, but they continue to ignore these far more positive and productive solutions.

I will try to gather together on my websites a list of all the alternatives that could/should be considered instead (or point to any sites already including such lists). But there needs to be significant economic and legal sanctions against these entities abusing the citizenry, by the consumers, and the representatives of said consumers in the US Government, before these industry giants will be willing to consider any other possibilities unfortunately.

What more can I do?

Where do you stand on these issues as a whole (with re-elections just a few days away).

I don't know what more I can do, but I'd love feedback on what you do, if anything, to fight back against the RIAA & MPAA, and any suggestions you might have in addition to what I've listed above.


Please oppose these acts on my behalf. Thank you.