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As of 17th June 2002, Audiogalaxy and the RIAA, reached to a conclusion, as quickly apparent to many of its users, a quick and swift action to the RIAA settlement resulted in virtual blackout at AG, what does this mean and imply for the future?
As was reported here at i:Vibes roughly over a week ago, the RIAA initiated legal action against Audiogalaxy. Under the premise of that Audiogalaxy had rampant and uncontrolled mass copyright infringements, with the added claims, that Audiogalaxy had in fact encouraged such activities.
Whatever the claims and accusations, it boiled down to either a hefty, and drawn out court case between the respective parties, and which without a doubt, would leave Audiogalaxy struggling against the huge legal resources that the RIAA have employed, in short it looked bleak for Audiogalaxy either way, be forcefully shut down after an agonising struggle, or just cut their losses and try to salvage any prospect of a future and by reaching a acceptable settlement with the RIAA
In a statement on their website, titled “RIAA, NMPA Reach Settlement With Audiogalaxy.com”
RIAA, NMPA Reach Settlement With Audiogalaxy.com
As such, the RIAA claimed a victory over the outcome, announcing that it was a leap towards the rights and respect of artists as was made evidently from this quote
"We are pleased to settle this case quickly. This is a victory for everyone who cares about protecting the value of music," said Hilary Rosen, Chairman and CEO of the RIAA.
The swift outcome, of the case took many by surprise, and as swift was the outcome, were the actions, taken, on 17th June 2002 at roughly 6pm GMT, many users found them selves looking at a totally inactive Audiogalaxy, every track, blocked and halted, legitimate or otherwise.
These actions were explained by this little snippet and the main crux of the announcement
"The settlement reached would allow Audiogalaxy to operate a "filter-in" system, which requires that for any music available, the songwriter, music publisher, and/or recording company must first consent to the use and sharing of the work. The other key provision of the agreement is for Audiogalaxy to pay the music publishers and recording industry a substantial sum based on Audiogalaxy's assets and interest in resolving this case quickly".
Further analysis reveals that Audiogalaxy have been penalized with substantial sum of money, how much it is, will most likely be not revealed, but it seems that Audiogalaxy has not been unscathed, yet one ponders how small this figure may pale in comparison if Audiogalaxy had gone to court and lost.
In consideration the afterthought and wake of Napster legal court case, left pretty much no doubt about the issues of unrestricted music sharing over the internet, after setting a very public and far reaching conclusion and precedent, viewed all the way from the lawmakers to governments to artists and everyday people alike, there was no more the feeling of insignificance on such matters
In addition one gets the distinct impression that the RIAA, are using this as a warning sing and a deterrent for other file sharing networks to take note of and indicate a future possible stance, with this settlement and the previous Napster injunction, the RIAA has added weight and strengthened to there crusade.
Finally i will address, what i believe that will negatively affect the music community, the legitimate users and upcoming artists that used to showcase their creative talents and work, what was once a dream of free and effortless mass promotion, has now been smothered, where will these artists go? even if Audiogalaxy does as its intended allow the free distribution of legitimate mp3's it still will add a layer of red tape and hassle that the artist has to overcome.
After all Audiogalaxy, was the users that made the service work, and in light of recent actions will Audiogalaxy remain the prominent online music sharing network, some how i feel that this is sadly not the case, and ppl will flock to other alternative, which in time, will get popular and then again be targeted by the RIAA and go through this debacle again. It seems like a vicious cycle benefiting no one
I suppose it is up to us to make them understand, and let them know what we want, and for them to make a situation where both parties can benefit mutually, and just enjoy the music, regardless of any external distractions
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