Re: RIAA Strikes B.U. & M.I.T.

["Joseph Pappalardo" <joepappalardo2001@yahoo.com>]

> > All Access is reporting Boston University and M.I.T.
> > have moved to quash RIAA subpoenas demanding the name
> > of students it says are swapping music files
> > illegally. The schools are citing privacy concerns.
>
> Interesting legal theory.  If the student privacy laws are actually so
broad
> as to protect illegal activity, the laws need to be changed.

Well, isn't this like a search warrant, when a young peson is stopped in a
car?

Their (possible) illegal activity might be sheilded by unlawful search and
seizure, etc.

Again, the RIAA seems interested in going after those that make the MP3's
*available* to other on their computer hard drive. They appear less
interested in those who *download* than those who *allow* the downloading.

Couldn't a user who has a large selection on his copmputer available for
download make the case that he is doing that for his own personal use...to
be able to DL from home, work, school?

Wouldn't it be the downloader who is/should be in trouble?

Then again The Millenium Digital Copyright Act(?) gives them all sorts of
powers.