Suing XM for time-shifting equipment?
I received an email today from XM, which was a plaintext copy of this webpage. Here are two excerpts:
We've developed new radios -- the Inno, Helix and NeXus -- that take innovation to the next level in a totally legal way. Like TiVo, these devices give you the ability to enjoy the sports, talk and music programming whenever you want. And because they are portable, you can enjoy XM wherever you want.
The music industry wants to stop your ability to choose when and where you can listen. Their lawyers have filed a meritless lawsuit to try and stop you from enjoying these radios.
They don't get it. These devices are clearly legal. Consumers have enjoyed the right to tape off the air for their personal use for decades, from reel-to-reel and the cassette to the VCR and TiVo.
...
We will vigorously defend these radios and your right to enjoy them in court and before Congress, and we expect to win.
Thank you for your support.
After paying attention to MPAA's and RIAA's tactics since the days of Napster, and everyone's responses to their often-meritless claims, I am truly surprised by this move... not by the fact that the RIAA is suing XM, but by the fact that XM didn't roll over and take it.
A major corporation standing up for consumer rights? I am very impressed. If I wasn't already spending $14/month on an XM subscription, I'd consider donating a few bucks.
We've developed new radios -- the Inno, Helix and NeXus -- that take innovation to the next level in a totally legal way. Like TiVo, these devices give you the ability to enjoy the sports, talk and music programming whenever you want. And because they are portable, you can enjoy XM wherever you want.
The music industry wants to stop your ability to choose when and where you can listen. Their lawyers have filed a meritless lawsuit to try and stop you from enjoying these radios.
They don't get it. These devices are clearly legal. Consumers have enjoyed the right to tape off the air for their personal use for decades, from reel-to-reel and the cassette to the VCR and TiVo.
...
We will vigorously defend these radios and your right to enjoy them in court and before Congress, and we expect to win.
Thank you for your support.
After paying attention to MPAA's and RIAA's tactics since the days of Napster, and everyone's responses to their often-meritless claims, I am truly surprised by this move... not by the fact that the RIAA is suing XM, but by the fact that XM didn't roll over and take it.
A major corporation standing up for consumer rights? I am very impressed. If I wasn't already spending $14/month on an XM subscription, I'd consider donating a few bucks.