Freenet Creator Debates RIAA

smd4985 writes "Over at CNET News.com, there's a good coverage of a debate between Ian Clarke of Freenet and Matt Oppenheim of the RIAA." In discussing whether it's "legal and moral to create and use Freenet", which is "a radically decentralized network of file-sharing nodes tied together with strong encryption", the RIAA's Oppenheim suggests: "Other than the fact that most infringers do not like to use Freenet because it is too clunky for them to get their quick hit of free music, it is no more of a threat than any of the popular P2P services."

Make Freenet Open Source!

[Lieutenant_Dan]

I think Mr Oppenheim could surpass his previous accomplishments by making Freenet available to the Open Source developer. Their dedication and long-term would be vital for the growth of such a peer-to-peer network on a global scale within an extended period of time.

The RIAA obviously sees Freenet as dangerous threat bigger then when it encountered the file-attachment Network in Zambia or the "Open FTP" criminal ring in lower-Slovakia. The Open Source developer community would be an impartial moderator in this long-term battle while adding support for BSD and Ogg Vorbis.

Only when create a global database of international ID3 tags can we overcome the low quality musical output from BMG.

Say WHAT?

[Lane.exe]

...quick hit of free music

So now people who download illegal MP3s are crack junkies?

"Man... I'm jonesin' for my latest fix of Metallica... gimme the good stuff!"

Re:Say WHAT?

[Evil Adrian]

Metallica? Good stuff? Not since the 80's.

Re:Make Freenet Open Source!

[Anonymous Coward]

Interestingly, countries like China and North Korea also think of programs like Freenet as "dangerous". I guess its no surprise that the RIAA thinks the same way.

Re:Plain and simple...

[Zork the Almighty]

Freenets trade Adobe software [openp2p.com].

Crack smoking again?

[thrillbert]

I think Mr Oppenheim could surpass his previous accomplishments by making Freenet available to the Open Source developer

Oppenheim is the Sr. Vice President for the RIAA's Business and Legal Afairs.. how do you figure he could surpass his previous accomplishments by doing this?

Karma Horing while on crack?

---
If money can't buy happiness, I guess you'll just have to rent it.

Re:Thats what I dont ageee with.

[Istealmymusic]

Making a copy of something copyrighted or protected intellectually and giving it away for free is ILLEGAL.

Yeah, but its fun!

Literally?

[Raul654]

If I were a storeowner, I can keep an eye, literally, on all my merchandise

You must have some really messed up eyesight. How do you deal with all those eyes lying around?

I also burn Briney Spears CDs but....

[reality-bytes]

....I do it in a blast furnace

Re:The RIAA is in over its head

[cshark]

The thing I thought was funny was that the RIAA didn't dispute the statement that their business model is obsolete, and that they will be replaced like the horse and buggy. Funny that.

I wonder if that would hold up in court.

Article Summary

[Lord_Dweomer]

For those who have lost the ability to actually read an article because they have been on Slashdot too long....here is a brief summary:

Question 1

Freenet: Thoughtful, valid answer
RIAA: It helps people steal music

Question 2

Freenet: Thoughtful, valid answer
RIAA: It helps people steal music, won't someone please think of the poor starving artists.

Question 3

Freenet: Thoughtful, valid answer
RIAA: It helps people steal music, but the term fileswapping is incorrect because they aren't swapping, they're in fact COPYING the music, and of course copying=stealing.

Question 4

Freenet: Thoughtful, valid answer amounting to "The RIAA's business model is fuxx0red and they will go away soon enough."
RIAA: He's STEALING OUR POOR ARTISTS' MUSIC, QUICK, ARREST HIM!!! WHY IS NOBODY LISTENING?!?!?!?!

Yes, I may have taken the liberty of condensing it down quite a bit......but its still dead on.

Re:stealing bibles?

[carpe_noctem]

Don't you know....God owns the copyright on the Bible. And if you steal it or copy it, he'll be pissed.

Re:The RIAA is in over its head

[pe1rxq]

My impression was that the RIAA guy didn't try to dispute anything at all....

It was more like 'File trading BAD! You can run but you can't hide. P2P==EVIL' followed by 'Yadda yadda yadda can't hear you....'

Jeroen

Re:The RIAA is in over its head

[fugu13]

I see hardly any/no illegal activity on furthurnet [furthurnet.com].

It's a network for trading legal songs (mainly concert recordings of bands that encourage the free distribution of their concerts for not for profit purposes.

it is possible to shoplift cars...

[leonardluen]

i hear it is usually called "grand theft auto"

i think someone even made a computer game(training simulator?) based around that concept

Re:You have it backwards

[prockcore]

say you report an income of $25,000/year but have two Ferrari's in your front driveway that are registered in your name

Hey, the dot com bust hit us all hard.

Re:The RIAA is in over its head

[computechnica]

Lots of laws are viewed this way.

Do you ever speed? BAM! you just broke the law.

Ever do your girl-friend in the poop-shoot? BAM! you just broke the law.

Did you ever drink alcohol before age 21? BAM! you just broke the law.

Re:My One Remaing P2P Question:

[Anonymous Coward]

this is a hypothetical scenario, right? because we know you don't have a friend.

Re:The RIAA is in over its head

[Anonym1ty]

Wow that's the best impression of Lars I've heard in a long time.

Re:The RIAA is in over its head

[Rogerborg]

Dude, everyone has done your girlfriend in the poop chute. We're all going to jail together, where, ironically enough, we'll be done up the poop chute by actual criminals.

Re:The RIAA is in over its head

[leviramsey]

I have personally downloaded material that's illegal from Furthur. Specifically, Bay Area Thrashers, which was a fake live recording of pre-Kirk Hammett Metallica but was actually the demo tapes with crowd noise thrown in. Metallica has managed to stop distribution of that, unlike genuine Metallica live bootlegs (which the band has continually reiterated are OK1 to make and non-commercially distribute).

1: however, at festival type gigs, Metallica generally defers to other bands on the bill. If one other band on the bill is opposed to live taping, then they go along with the standard anti-taping measures. For instance, I was frisked pretty heavily at Sunday's Summer Sanitarium tour stop in Foxboro.