Even the RIAA isn't Ballsy Enough to Claim Ripping CDs is Illegal

Adam Frucci — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 10:00:08 EST

So a few weeks ago we reported that the RIAA had claimed that just ripping CDs was enough to get you sued. Later, jumping on the bandwagon, the Washington Post reported the same thing. Turns out, it's not exactly true. The RIAA claims that ripping a CD and then putting the files into a shared folder is illegal, which we disagree with but is a little less flabbergasting. The confusion arose with the wording, which called ripped copies "unauthorized."

What's the difference between unauthorized and illegal? Well, when the RIAA says ripped copies of CDs are unauthorized, they're pretty much saying they don't like it but can't stop you from doing it. When they say it's illegal, they're taking your ass to court and trying to ruin your life because you shared a Coldplay CD on Kazaa back in 2002. This isn't to say that the RIAA has improved its standing in our eyes — no, we still think it's the douchiest group of douches around — but even they know that no one will accept that ripping a CD in itself is illegal. [TechDirt]

While you can't dump your $100 in Apple apology...

Matt Buchanan — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 09:30:29 EDT

While you can't dump your $100 in Apple apology moneys directly into your iTunes account or iTunes electronic gift certificates, you can still hit up the Apple Store (online or B&M) to buy iTunes gift cards if you're insistent on blowing your bucks on tuneage. [TUAW]

Gizmodo: clarification

Even the RIAA isn't Ballsy Enough to Claim Ripping CDs is Illegal

While you can't dump your $100 in Apple apology...