Part Animal... Part Machine

"I'm not ashamed I can't function in society like I'm supposed to." - Paul Westerberg

Prez a Music Thief, According to RIAA
Don't feel so bad that your iPod contains illegally-obtained music, because US President George Bush has also been stealing music. Check out this video, where he talks about his Beatles songs on his iPod, and of course, Beatles music is not yet available online. That means he must have ripped them from a CD. Last February, the RIAA said that ripping CDs is illegal. Welcome to the band of thieves, Mr. President.

We were just puzzled, though, why the president had music by The Archies on his iPod. Wonder which song? "Sugar Sugar?"

GW Bush's iPod contains "illegal" (according to RIAA) music
[boingboing]

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/prez-a-music-thief-according-to-riaa-167611.php

[blatently stolen from GIZMODO for coolness]
Published Monday, April 17, 2006 9:10 AM by gonzo

Comments

# re: Prez a Music Thief, According to RIAA@ Monday, April 17, 2006 11:38 AM

dang you beat me to this one!

# re: Prez a Music Thief, According to RIAA@ Monday, April 17, 2006 12:00 PM

Does this mean that every MP3 file on a computer or iPod between 1999 and 2004 is an illegal copy? (at least those which the copyright holder had not given expressed consent)

Something tells me that this is not the case.

by O

# re: Prez a Music Thief, According to RIAA@ Monday, April 17, 2006 12:45 PM

if you read what the RIAA is trying to say then any mp3 that was ripped from CD is illegal.

# re: Prez a Music Thief, According to RIAA@ Monday, April 17, 2006 3:44 PM

Yes, but I do not believe that the RIAA has been able to successfully argue this one in court.  Just as taping a record or CD that you own had been considered fair use for the past 30 years or so, this will likely be the case in the CD / MP3 realm - likely because the argument can be made that MP3s, although becoming quite high quality, are of a lesser sound quality than the original CD.

In short, I know what the RIAA is saying, but it doesn't appear that they have a pot to piss in.  :)

by O