Jari Ketola
31 Jul 2003 14:55
Some parties still don't accept the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) methods in tracking down Internet pirates. Internet service provider SBC Communications has filed a complaint in a U.S. district court saying that many of the RIAA subpoenas have been done improperly.
Like Verizon earlier, SBC also fears that the turbo charged DMCA subpoena process might be unconstitutional. "Misapplication of DMCA subpoena power raises serious constitutional questions that need to be decided by the courts, not by private companies which operate without duty of due diligence or judicial oversight," a spokesperson for SBC said.
RIAA has also grouped demands for information of multiple file-sharers under one subpoena.
RIAA's methods have also been put under scrutiny by sen. Norm Coleman on Thursday. He has begun an inquiry into the lawsuits, saying the tactics used by RIAA might ensnare innocent people.
While Coleman understands the concerns of the music industry, he feels that the ends don't always justify the means. "The industry seems to have adopted a 'shotgun' approach that could potentially cause injury and harm to innocent people who may have simply been victims of circumstance, or possessing a lack of knowledge of the rules related to digital sharing of files," Coleman said.
Source:
Wired News
The Kansas City Star