In addition, the artists are unhappy with the fact that the labels, represented by lobby groups such as the RIAA and IFPI, are pushing for anti-piracy legislation without consulting the artists they claim to represent. Fans are unnecessarily portrayed as criminals according to some.

Now, in the case of Boston University student Joel Tenenbaum versus the RIAA, Radiohead has indicated that they will testify against the RIAA. Tenenbaum’s troubles started in 2003 when he rejected an offer to settle with the RIAA for $500. After a few more settlement attempts and legal quibbles, the case eventually went to court.

In court Joel is assisted by ‘hippy head‘ Professor Charles Nesson, and his law students. TorrentFreak contacted Tenenbaum’s legal team, who confirmed that they indeed spoke to Radiohead. “We met with Radiohead’s manager two weeks ago here at Harvard Law School. Professor Nesson walked away with the impression that their manager agreed to do so,” we were told.

Despite the criticism of Professor Charles Nesson’s work ethics and handling on the case thus far, it would be good to see well respected musicians such as Radiohead testify in favor of an accused file-sharer. Most of the time we don’t hear from the artists directly, only from their representatives, so their views are very welcome.

Recently, the effects of ‘illegal’ file-sharing on music sales were discussed during the Pirate Bay trial. Here, Professor and media researcher Roger Wallis told the court that his research has shown that there is no relationship between the decline of album sales and file-sharing. After his testimony, Wallis’ wife was overwhelmed with flowers as the public warmed to her husband and the opinion he expressed in court.

We can’t rule out the possibility that Radiohead might be after some floral tributes of its own, but even more than that they’d love to put one in the eye of the money obsessed record labels.

Source: TorrentFreak, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing and anonymous VPN services.

From from first thing this morning, things started to look very bad indeed for P2P. Indications that operations against P2P had started came when it was reported that the RIAA had started an amnesty program for file-sharers;

"In a stunning turnabout, the R.I.A.A. has announced a new amnesty program for computer users who have shared and/or downloaded copyrighted files illegally. The new program, christened 'Files for Free HD Time', works like this: you go to a special website setup by the R.I.A.A. where you can upload any previously illegally downloaded files. In other words: give them back and avoid prosecution. Plus, for every 12 files you put back, you will be rewarded with certificates for 120 Free HD Radio minutes which can be used in any city where HD Radio is now operating"

Anyone with half a brain could see that this was not an amnesty but an IP harvesting operation. Everyone visiting that site would upload copyright stuff straight to the RIAA’s server. Little more than sitting ducks, so sad. We mourn those losses.

Then reports came in that the Australian Government were subsidising a hardware filtering scheme, knocking out even encrypted P2P traffic. The statement said;

"..we are taking the opportunity to meet the needs of intellectual property owners. 'Peer-to-peer' technology is primarily used for copyright infringement, so proactive blocking will not affect legitimate Australian internet users"

Just when it was feared that things simply couldn’t get worse, two completely unexpected attacks were launched by the FBI and MPAA on Scene release news sites, despite both being hosted outside US jurisdiction. Releaselog.net was ordered to shut within 5 days by the FBI and Hypoh.com felt the long arm of the MPAA on their collar, finding out in the most awful of ways that They Could Click, But Not Hide. Things were collapsing quickly.

Usenet darlings Binsearch.info took an almost fatal blow to the search engines when the MAFIAA moved in on them.

The bad boys from Britain, UKNova decided to stop anyone without a UK TV licence using their site. By this time, nerves were at breaking point.

But then, just when it seemed that P2P Armageddon had arrived, a little spec appeared on the horizon, getting bigger and bigger and bigger. And there it was in all its glory, the galleon of the PirateBay it’s sails painted in beautiful colors. A deal had been struck to further fortify the ‘Bay – a collaboration with one of the world’s most loved dictators, North Korea’s Kim Jong-Il.

After all this, P2P has survived……until next April 1st……stay tuned

Source: TorrentFreak, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing and anonymous VPN services.