Friday, April 04, 2008

University of Colorado to host discussion between EFF attorneys and RIAA lawyer on April 9th

On April 9th, the University of Colorado will be hosting a discussion featuring EFF attorneys Cindy Cohn and Fred von Lohmann and the RIAA's litigation attorney Richard L. Gabriel, entitled "The War on "Piracy": A Fight for Industry Survival or a Failed Approach?"

Refreshments will be served.

Details of event

[Ed. note: I hope Cindy and Fred aren't as polite as they usually are. Richard Gabriel has hurt a lot of people.]



Keywords: digital copyright law online internet law legal download upload peer to peer p2p file sharing filesharing music movies indie independent label freeculture creative commons pop/rock artists riaa independent mp3 cd favorite songs intellectual property

11 comments:

Scott said...

"Richard Gabriel has hurt a lot of people."

True, but isn't even the most reprehensible client entitled to the best legal services money can buy?

This is America. You can get anybody to do anything if you pay them enough.

Anonymous said...

Maybe we can tie up Mr. Gabriel so much in lectures and public discussions that he doesn't have time to write motions and briefs any longer.

-DM

Jadeic said...

Given the inherent contradiction that any war is 'winnable' then certainly the War on "Piracy" stands no more chance than the War on "Terror".

I wonder if the recent media comments by this UK ISP here and the new man at EMI, Glen Merrill, here will surface during the discussions...

Dave

StephenH said...

Is there any way that this discussion could be recorded on Radio EFF Perhaps, or an MP3 posted to this blog. I would not mind hearing this.

Jadeic said...

I have already emailed UoC with this request. I'll let you know the response.

Dave

Scott said...

Jadeic, The Guardian got his name wrong! He's Douglas Merrill, and he's a fascinating choice for President of Digital Business at EMI Music. For one thing, the ex-Google exec has a string of business successes to his credit. And, he's a techie, not a lawyer, so he's probably more inclined to think strategically and have a less reductionist viewpoint. :)

Jadeic said...

Here's the reply from Blake Reid at UoC as promised:

Hi Dave,
I am not sure about a podcast or transcript, but I do know that we will have a video posted here.

It may not be up until May or early June, so check back.

Thanks for your interest!

Take care,
Blake

raybeckerman said...

I don't think it's going to be the slugfest you folks are expecting.

It will probably be much more collegial than that.

Judging from the subject title, they'll chat about better ways for Mr. Gabriel's vermin clients to make more money...

and then have coffee and cake afterwards.

raybeckerman said...

And they're doing it in Mr. Gabriel's backyard, so he can have the auditorium packed.

Another Kevin said...

On the other hand, I hope that they are impeccably polite and win over the audience with their arguments. Being rude may give some temporary personal satisfaction, but scores no points in a debate.

Scott said...

The light bulb went on: Why is this debate happening at all; and so soon after the Fordham event?

If the RIAA was so cocksure that their legal theories were unambiguously correct, it would make no sense for them to be actively seeking public forums to debate their merits. My guess is that the RIAA lawyer-executives and HR&O are finally becoming aware of the backlash; that their brilliant tactics are causing their customers to hate the industry they are presumably defending. Pretty lousy strategy, if you ask me.

These little PR events aren't going to help the cartel , though. When Cary Sherman goes back to Congress to try to get the DMCA tweaked, he is going to be sailing right into a tsunami. You can't run a high profile campaign calculated to terrorize people without anticipating a backlash. Just ask the IRS. Their gusto for kneecapping taxpayers led to the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring
and Reform Act of 1998. Sherman would have to be a complete putz to think that he could succeed legislatively where the IRS failed.

This Fall, if every music consumer who was aware of the RIAA's campaign wrote a letter* to their Congressman and Senators expressing their disgust, it's unlikely that any DMCA revision would break in favor of the RIAA. Record company execs can make campaign contibutions, but they can't buy votes. Aware constituencies make elected officials tremble.

*(paper, snail mail for highest impact)