RIAA scorns Oregon University request
p2pnet news | RIAA News:- It’s taken a while, but Warner Music, EMI, Vivendi Universal and Sony BMG’s RIAA has finally responded to Oregon State attorney general Hardy Myers and University of Oregon efforts to protect students instead of caving in to Big 4 demands that the school hand over information about its students so the RIAA can more effectively terrorise them with threats of court action.
The effect of its answer?
Myers and the OU aren’t really trying to look after the students. But it doesn’t say what their alternative motives might therefore be.
The AG’s office has asked for discovery into the RIAA’s investigatory practices but in its document, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) not only opposes the request, it wants it killed altogether, says Recording Industry vs The People.
Says the RIAA in a 21-page court document:
Not only does the University lack standing to challenge the merits of Plaintiffs” claims, but the discovery the University seeks is irrelevant to determining the propriety of a party’s request for discovery prior to the FRCP 26(f) conference.
Likewise, the University”s requests for information regarding MediaSentry and the RIAA”s registration to do business in Oregon, (Interrogatory Nos. 10 and 11), MediaSentry”s registration as a private investigator, (Interrogatory No. 12), and possible collection of “email, credit card information,” and other personal information relating to any of the Defendants, (Interrogatory No. 7), have no bearing on the standard for quashing a Rule 45 subpoena.5
Such requests belie the University”s assertion that it is only attempting to protect its students” privacy rights, conserve public resources, and provide pertinent information to the Court. (Reply, p. 2.) Accordingly, the University”s request to serve discovery on Plaintiffs should be denied.
p2pnet posted recently:
RIAA mouthperson Jonathan Lamy says University of Oregon determination to block the subpoenas is “misguided” and, according to Associated Press, “urged higher education officials to help prevent students from pirating music”.
“It is our view that universities carry the great responsibility of educating students about many important issues, including technology, ethics, copyright law and civic responsibility,” he also observed.
No doubt university authorities the length and breadth of America will duly take note of young Lamy”s thoughts.
Meanwhile, Oregon attorney general Hardy Myers says the RIAA may be illegally spying on UO students and ferreting out data they”re not entitled to, p2pnet reported for the first time yesterday.
Mysers and the University of Oregon are the first American institutions to jointly make an active and determined effort to protect state students against the depredations of the RIAA.
Definitely stay tuned.
Also See:
instead of caving – , November 30, 2007
Recording Industry vs The People – RIAA protests Oregon AG’s request for discovery into RIAA ‘investigatory’ practices, December 13, 2007
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