The American Spectator

In response to Mr. R. McEnroe:

1) I am coauthoring a book on Linux for the University at which I teach. I have also written several articles on Open Source deployments. Have been the programmer, designer or systems architect on two dozen projects over the years. So I know of the effort associated with IP related products. But no, I am not a musician.

2) If 10 million people download one of your songs that you have not positioned yourself to get paid via the medium, that is a marketing problem not a crime scene. The RIAA has consistently resisted any effort to develop or accept a pay per song schema for the Internet. The RIAA at this writing is making waves about the Apple pay for play download site.

3) The record industry is stealing from you today if you walk into a local Office Max and buy blank CD’s. As a compromise plan, Congress passed back in the late 80’s, a bill that the record industry would be reimbursed for “fair use” copying of CD’s. The provisions of that bill were to apply to audio CD’s only but it is applied to all CD’s at point of manufacture. So when you or I buy a 50 pack a percentage of the cost goes to the record industry, even if I only intended to use them to back up my PC. That, Sir, is conversion.

4) I would agree that each player in the record chain is only taking a small percentage, adding to the costs. And there is the rub. Most of the players are not required anymore. Sorry. I have been part of or seen whole layers of middlemen eliminated in several industries due to information/automation of the supply chain. I usually follow Jazz as a genre. Most of the artists have small followings. I buy most of my CD’s direct from the artist — $10-12. He is getting the lion’s share of the profit. If you wish to see the future of music, look at Amazon. Several artists sell through this venue, collapsing the supply chain.

5) Lastly I would suggest a review of Jefferson and Madison on the issue of patents and IP in general. Had it not been for these two gentlemen this country would not have a Patent Office at all. But if you read their assessments IP is to be used to promote the scientific and intellectual arts not to suppress them as is generally done today in the business arena.

p>I do not condone stealing property. But the RIAA’s tactics and inability to address change is unacceptable. Give the American Public a means to buy a single song electronically and this issue will become moot. br> — John McGinnis br> Arlington, Texas /p>