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At this point, everyone’s familiar with the RIAA and their delightful campaign to sue whoever it can, including that guy who sneezed in a sort of funny way that made it sound like he was saying “Kazaa.” Now, the organization is trying a new angle: Going after people who dare engage in smack talk.
The trade organization has filed a petition asking the courts to punish Ray Beckerman, the lawyer who runs the blog Recording Industry Vs. The People, for being “vexatious” (”causing or tending to cause annoyance, frustration, or worry,” in case you, like me, need to look up that word). Beckerman has acted as an attorney for several defendants being targeted by the RIAA, and the labels aren’t looking kindly upon his decision to blog about the litigation.
Finally, as this Court is aware, Defendant’s counsel has maintained an anti-recording industry blog during the course of this case and has consistently posted virtually every one of his baseless motions on his blog seeking to bolster his public relations campaign and embarrass Plaintiffs. Such vexatious conduct demeans the integrity of these judicial proceedings and warrants this imposition of sanctions.
How dare he! Posting public court information in an easily accessible medium! The scoundrel! This seems to be another one of those RIAA moves that hurts their public image more than it helps, but perhaps they’re operating under the impression that someone out there enjoys nothing more than watching a good old-fashioned attempt to drown people in legal fees.
RIAA Goes After Ray Beckerman, Demands Monetary Sanctions [Techdirt]
When the music industry has finally disintegrated, will Zombie RIAA still walk the earth? Also, is there any precedant for the kind of action they are attempting here or do they just not know how the world works?
Does the RIAA have Maoist posters all around the office?
Laziness is counter-revolutionary!
Questions are decadent!
Oh my god, you guys used the abbreviation RIAA! You have to pay them now!
Now you made me say it!
Who does this blog hate more – the RIAA or the Bit-Terrorists they want to punish?
As my friend’s mom used to say – “You can’t have it both ways.”
Until I got her drunk, anyway.
@Sniffle: It’s pretty easy to maintain equal levels of contempt for both parties.
I think I heard the word vexatious in a Peter Tosh song once and I assumed he made it up. Neat!