Independent label representing 175 artists worldwide attacking RIAA

July 21, 2003

GristyMcFisty used our news submit to tell us
that a body, representing 175 artists worldwide, has attacked the RIAA
(Recording Industry Association of America) for their attempt to shut down
file-sharing networks:

Dust Traxx manages
27 house and techno labels and claims to have been the largest producer,
manufacturer and distributor of house music in the world during 2002. It's
promotions director Chuck Paugh says the RIAA 'is deceptive in its claim
to represent the recording industry' and in fact only represents a handful
of large record companies.The RIAA recently announced plans to
take legal action against individuals who make music files available for
download. But Paugh says it does not have the right to take legal action
against people trading music when copyright in the songs being swapped is
not owned by its members.

'Take a look at the songs they are
claiming in their suites are being traded illegally,' says Paugh. 'Some of
these songs are not owned or licensed by RIAA members making the RIAA
claim to copyright infringement invalid.'

Paugh claims that he has spoken to more
than 20 other companies similar to his and all are agreed that the RIAA's
campaign will backfire: 'the industry as a whole is against these
lawsuits' he says.

Dusk Traxx, adds Paugh, 'are not opposed
to peer-to-peer trading of music. We feel that the dinosaurs in the
industry need to catch up with technology and consumer demands instead of
trying to stomp on consumers....'

Paugh adds
that he believes that people who are using file-sharing software are mainly
young teenagers who, once they have consumable money to spend, will go out and
purchase music as adults. This statement seems to be backed by a recently
released report by
MRP; music downloads drive sales.

Source: PC Pro