What has happened to music?

I don't know how many of you have been following the legal developments in the music industry lately but let me attempt to give you some resources to catch you up?

http://joelfightsback.com/
This website covers the current trial of RIAA vs Joel Tenenbaum. Here is a quick intro to what is happening as provided by the site.

"

Joel Tenenbaum is just like you.

Joel is a 25-year old graduate student at Boston University pursuing a physics PhD. And he loves music.

We are just a small team of passionate students under the guidance of Professor Charles Nesson, committed to helping Joel fight back against the RIAA by legally and publicly representing him.

It’s not a vendetta. It’s just that Joel chose to stand his ground.
It’s about defending the average Davids against the corporate Goliath."

He is being sued in court for file sharing, a habit millions of Americans participate in me included and you too most likely. The RIAA is seeking the ultimate fine possible; $150/song which would mean Joel would have to pay 4.5 million dollars if the jury agrees with the parasitic prosecution.

http://www.wired.com/listening_post/2007/07/ascap-cracks-do/

That last article is a year old but I didn't hear about it until recently. It basically tells about places being sold for playing copyrighted music. One place got sued $210,000 for playing music.

Now don't get me wrong, I think people have a right to protect what they own but there is a line that shouldn't be crossed.

I have a few questions I would like you consider about these situations:

Since when is the legal system used for companies to make money?

Do we need to worry about driving around listening to cds with our windows down and having the music escape the windows which would be a case of playing music without a license?

Do cover bands and beginning musicians need to worry about being fined for covering other bands songs or just learning by using them?

What is next? People being sued and fined for quoting copyrighted lyrics?

To the RIAA, MPAA, ASCAP, and any other money devouring corporation,

You cannot put a price on thoughts, words or culture. You have crossed the line and are fighting a battle you will not win.

Until next time, share your ideas, your music, your thoughts, your art; share your human experience. Pirate if you choose to pirate. Spread the word. today is our day we will struggle on until people are criminalized so companies can make money.