Music Industry Won't Sue You For Downloading

After a wave of horrid publicity and a spike in legal costs, the lawyers representing the recording industry have publicly announced they will no longer be suing citizens illegally downloading music. In the last five years, the industry has sued some thirty-five thousand, which, humorously, has resulted in a net loss due in part to average settlements which work out to roughly thirty-five hundred dollars each.

According to The First Amendment Center, lawyers are now working on a new plan in coordination with internet providers to first warn customers suspected of downloading and later cut off service if the accused parties don’t cease. I know it’s the stock answer for twenty-somethings to defend themselves by saying the music industry makes plenty of money, but artists and labels alike have the right to profit from their music. Still, it’s hard to defend conglomerates who chose to sue single mothers and a slew of middle class college students rather than well-fortified internet pirates who actually make the downloading possible.

This entire debacle is a disastrous quagmire with no exits.