If it came to legal action

Mad_Cyric · Post by **Mad_Cyric** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:30 pm

Say the RIAA or some other retards inc. sort of deal did come after the local downloading feature of the org (this site as a whole isn't going down but I imagine the downloading would be easy prey)?

If whoever really runs these servers did decide to fight it, don't you think that something amazing could happen in this community? I mean, the main problem with fighting it would be legal fees and stuff I imagine, but I think that if we did fight it, *I* would donate. I think this site would see donations as it never has before if it would help keep the org alive. Hell, even people who don't care so much about AMVs might donate just to fight the RIAA (or other group).

I know people seem to hate threads on this topic, but I guess I wanted to say that I hope if it comes to it we do fight it. We might see something akin to what happens in terrible feel-good movies in which a bunch of small time fools gang up to beat the man, so to speak. I think that the response from people at the org would be a lot bigger than people expect.

godix · Post by **godix** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:39 pm

AFAIK it's been stated that if the org ever gets a cease and desist letter then the servers would be shut down that day. Which would be disappointing but quite understandable.

If I'm wrong about this I'm sure someone will correct me, probably within a few minutes.

SuperFusion · Post by **SuperFusion** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:56 pm

I'd wanna donate, but to tell you the truth, if it were my ass on the line, I wouldn't try and fight the RIAA. Then again, that's because my knowledge on this subject isn't too great.

BasharOfTheAges · Post by **BasharOfTheAges** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:43 pm

Well, you should never underestimate the fame and publicity that would come from a lawyer (or a team of them) offering to do a high-profile case pro bono.

bum · Post by **bum** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 7:19 am

Bashar, I dont think suing a comunity of geeks obsesed with making music vidoes with japanese cartoons would register as high profile for most lawyers.

If it ever came to it, nago and kero should be shut down imediatly. Fighting the RIAA is stupid. Even with significant donations, it would put phade through alot of grief. As he is raising a family, it would be terrible puting him in such a situation. However it shouldnt affect the site and forum, which should still remain online.

What I wouldnt mind is a subscription service. Say we strike a deal with the riaa. Something like 75c per amv containing music the riaa has copyright on. music not conected to the riaa should stay as free downloads. With people paying for amv's, donations will likely take a hit. I wouldnt mind some advertisments and google adds. Despite people constantly complaining about them without them, we'd be paying a subscription fee for every site we want to visit. I know this idea seems harsh compared to the free luxury we have now, but short of moving the servers to russia its probably the best solution we have.

x_rex30 · Post by **x_rex30** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 10:44 am

I think bum makes a good point. Even though what we do is illegal, I don't think it hurts anyone except uptight pricks. I don't think the IRAA or Anime Companies are loosing any money off of this, that's just my opinion. Maybe they are but I don't think we should be considered a big threat to any of them. If you want to get technical, let's talk how we are hurting them since as of now I still don't know.. I think there is more people who buy music to make amvs than there is people who download amvs to rip the audio.

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 11:30 am

bum wrote:I know this idea seems harsh compared to the free luxury we have now, but short of moving the servers to russia its probably the best solution we have.

...and I say we do that instead. I could hook you up. If the .org is ever taken down by the RIAA, I shall be the new Russian .org's Phade. Or at least its' AD.

WhereNext · Post by **WhereNext** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 12:17 pm

well, i believe that the .org does the music and anime industries more good than harm. I for one have used the org to get introduced to new animes and new bands, leading me to buy music and animes i probably would have never bought otherwise. If the RIAA or an anime company ever take action against the org, they will essentially be shooting themselves in the proverbial foot.

devilmaykickass · Post by **devilmaykickass** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 2:27 pm

I expect it to happen sooner than later, honestly.

BasharOfTheAges · Post by **BasharOfTheAges** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 7:10 pm

bum wrote:Bashar, I dont think suing a comunity of geeks obsesed with making music vidoes with japanese cartoons would register as high profile for most lawyers.

I don't think it makes a hell of a lot of diference what it is we're doing. It would be the first case to challenge the RIAA's authority and the legality of their actions. The public rage is there and it can be exploited. Any legal challenge (given the right amount of media support and a savy speaker) would make them look to the average Jon Q Public as bad as they look to us. Someone has to be the first to stand up. We can't all sit idle when corporations are depriving the average citizen of the right to our nation's legal system and hope that someone else will solve the problems for us. Fair use is a secondary concern in this matter; big business controling the legal system, defining law, and corupting justice for profit is a far greater issue.