The Webcaster Alliance is
going to court. In a press release dated 8/27/03 they are claiming
anticompetitive conduct against the RIAA and its' leading members. In July, the
Alliance notified the RIAA of its' intention to initiate legal proceedings,
unless the RIAA took steps to address anti-competitive conditions that
threaten to eliminate small commercial webcasters and injure the music
market.
 Webcaster Alliance's allegations arise from an alleged unlawful
agreement among certain participants in the December 2002 agreement
between the RIAA and certain webcasters that was allegedly intended to
harm competition, which would in turn harm the distribution of independent
music which competes with RIAA material.
Ann Gabriel, president of Webcaster
Alliance, Inc. stated: "The RIAA agenda is patently clear. We have watched
the RIAA's actions which have the effect of wiping out an entire industry
of independent webcasters who represent freedom of choice and diversity
for Internet radio listeners. It is time for the RIAA to be held
accountable for years of manipulating an entire industry in order to
stifle the growth of independent music and control internet content and
distribution channels. Their ruthless campaign has also had the
devastating effect of destroying the hopes and dreams of thousands of
independent Internet radio stations. It is time for us to stand up to the
RIAA and fight for the American consumer's freedom of
choice." |
If you would like to view the actual
complaint filed against the RIAA, the Alliance has made available a PDF
file for your perusal.
Source: webcasteralliance.com
