Another “harmed” musician lashes out against RIAA-Thomas ruling

Somehow I don’t think this is exactly what the RIAA envisioned in regards to an “open arms welcome” by musicians and record labels alike when the Thomas ruling was given. Granted, while music labels are more than perfectly fine charging convicted individuals unconstitutionally large sums of money, more and more of the very core of their entire case, music artists, couldn’t be more disgusted. Yesterday it was Moby calling for the disbandment of the RIAA, today it is Richard Marx has something to say. Now before you start laughing, while Richard Marx doesn’t exactly portray the image of a tech junkie who fights for the digital rights of all, his newly acquired voice is one that is surely welcome. While his voice alone doesn’t hold any legal substance and won’t cause any different outcome in any trial regarding copyright quarrels, what he has to say is enough to make your ears perk up and your attention span hone in on his core message: Suing people enormous amounts of money just to “make an example” is disgusting and stupid and will only push more people to the practice. Of course, Mr. Marx said it in a few more eloquent words…

Per Richard Marx:

As a longtime professional songwriter, I have always objected to the practice of illegal downloading of music. I have also always, however, been sympathetic to the average music fan, who has been consistently financially abused by the greedy actions of major labels. These labels, until recently, were responsible for the distribution of the majority of recorded music, and instead of nurturing the industry and doing their best to provide the highest quality of music to the fans, they predominantly chose to ream the consumer and fill their pockets.

So now we have a “judgment” in a case of illegal downloading, and it seems to me, especially in these extremely volatile economic times, that holding Ms. Thomas-Rasset accountable for the continuing daily actions of hundreds of thousands of people is, at best, misguided and at worst, farcical. Her accountability itself is not in question, but this show of force posing as judicial come-uppance is clearly abusive. Ms. Thomas-Rasset, I think you got a raw deal, and I’m ashamed to have my name associated with this issue.

Wow, a closet consumer rights supporter. Who woulda’ thunk? We greatly appreciate your support Mark. Hopefully more musicians and famous people alike begin standing up to the crap that music labels amount others pull and reclaim “the arts” and get rid of the middleman. The RIAA and greedy music labels will always suck and hopefully soon die a quick death. It’s just a matter of how much longer do we have to hear about their crap that now takes center stage.

Source: Ars Technica, Image Source

Author: Mike Norris

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Gadget lover, smartphone collector, and beer connoisseur. I've been writing about gadgets for three years now and loving every minute of it. Outside of the digital landscape, I enjoy being active outdoors. I'm always up for a good conversation, so feel free to drop me a line!