Caledonia Argus

Coleman plans hearing on internet music piracy

Posted: 9/16/03

by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) is entering the fray surrounding the Internet piracy of music and movies.

Coleman plans to hold at least one hearing on the issue later this month.

Chairman of a Senate permanent subcommittee on investigations, Coleman said Internet piracy is a perplexing problem and perhaps one no longer correctable through the tactics taken by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) earlier this week.

On Monday, Sept. 8, the RIAA announced that it was suing some 261 individuals for illegally distributing music on the Internet.

Cory Sherman, RIAA president, in a news release said no one enjoys being the heavy in a dispute.

ìBut when your product is being regularly stolen, there comes a time when you have to take appropriate actions,î he said.

Reportedly, the 30 percent decline in CD sales in recent years is believed attributable to the growth of piracy.

According to the release, the RIAA is going after only flagrant copyright violators.

But ultimately, thousands of lawsuits could be filed.

The RIAA is offering amnesty from lawsuits to P2P users who voluntarily identify themselves and pledge not to illegally distribute files again.

ìFor those who want to wipe the slate clean to avoid potential lawsuits, this is the way to go,î said Mitch Bainwol, RIAA chairman and CEO.

But Coleman expressed doubts whether the wave of lawsuits could stop the piracy.

ìThe genie is out of the bottle on this one,î he said, speaking Thursday (Sept. 11) from Washington.

ìThe record industry is clearly using a sledgehammer,î he said.

ìI donít have the answer to this,î said Coleman.

Maybe a business model or technological change is necessary, he said.

Coleman depicted RIAA officials placing a thumb in a hole in a dike while water is spilling over the top.

Millions of American copy files, he said.

Coleman confident of disaster declaration

Turning to other matters, Coleman said he was certain the federal disaster declaration Gov. Pawlenty is requesting for Minnesota counties ravaged by drought would be accepted by federal officials.

Coleman, working with Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., is trying to move legislation aimed at plugging the gap between what Minnesota farmers lose to drought and federal disaster relief assistance.

Under the legislation, farmers, working through a complicated equation, could get back 42 cents on the lost dollar, said Coleman.

But he added getting the legislation through would be tough ó dependent on what other states seek to do.

On Monday, Sept. 15, Pawlenty formerly requested that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman declare an agricultural diaster for 62 counties.

Counties include Anoka, Chisago, Dakota, Houston, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Pine, Olmsted, Sherburne, Wabasha, Washington, and Winona.

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