LAist: RIAA Takes Down Muxtape

Andy Sternberg

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:15:59 -0800

Hahaha, 90039. The RIAA does not read LAist and is likely unable to absorb any other kind of content available solely in a digital format. I thought the tip off on muxtape may have been an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune that appeared the morning of the take down. More likely that was just a coincidence. To be honest, I don't think anyone -- including the hobbyist who launched muxtape -- expected the service to be around anywhere near as long as it was. The other services I mentioned all manage to pay adequate royalties, kind of like I do for my Internet Radio station. Enjoy ;-)

phdiaz

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:32:55 -0800

I should probably add that I'm not for the RIAA - they're tactics are completely illegal and are incredibly inaccurate and unfair. It's ridiculous to have to spend about $20K to prove your innocence - it's easier to just pay the $1000 - $3K settlement. Then again, the innocent ones have usually left their WiFi open and unintentionally invited people onto their system...so it is slightly their fault as well.

phdiaz

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:24:37 -0800

Well I won't go into the specific details - although the RIAA already knows anyways and if you just google it you'll find instructions - but like most other streaming sites, Muxtape actually does download the MP3 onto your computer, it just hides it from you. So the average person doesn't realize they've downloaded about 1000 illegal songs, but the saavy ones knows they have, and uses it to add to the collection. The RIAA is right on this one, they know people are smart enough to figure out how do make use of the "hidden" mp3s they just downloaded when the "listened" to a song.

Ross A. Lincoln

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:42:03 -0800

Also a good time to remind people that repealing the DMCA ought to be one of our top priorities. Seriously, wouldn't it be great if US Government policy for the last 15 years hadn't just been "whatever our donors want"?

90039

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:52:59 -0800

thanks Andy S. for giving a heads-up to the RIAA..

db

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:55:45 -0800

A good time to remind folks that the RIAA is a lobbying group for record companies, not the artists, and certainly not the listeners.

Andy Sternberg

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:09:40 -0800

alas, there's still Finetune, Mixwit, and Cassette From My Ex and the not-so-mixable Imeems, Songzas, and Last.fms of the Interwebs.