Amazing.

…the industry maintains that it is illegal for someone who has legally purchased a CD to transfer that music into his computer.

The industry’s lawyer in the case, Ira Schwartz, argues in a brief filed earlier this month that the MP3 files Howell made on his computer from legally bought CDs are “unauthorized copies” of copyrighted recordings.

The RIAA’s legal crusade against its customers is a classic example of an old media company clinging to a business model that has collapsed. Four years of a failed strategy has only “created a whole market of people who specifically look to buy independent goods so as not to deal with the big record companies,” Beckerman says. “Every problem they’re trying to solve is worse now than when they started.”

The industry “will continue to bring lawsuits” against those who “ignore years of warnings,” RIAA spokesman Jonathan Lamy said in a statement. “It’s not our first choice, but it’s a necessary part of the equation. There are consequences for breaking the law.” And, perhaps, for firing up your computer.

That third section that is in bold, is the straight truth.

Somebody is going to have to throw in the towel. So even if you’ve purchased a CD back in 1991 and you want to rip it to put on your Zune, PSP, iPod etc., you would be “essentially” stealing? WTF. They are saying that you can’t copy what you own!

Those MP3 and AAC files that you’ve ripped from your CD collection are still “unauthorized copies” in the eyes of the recording industry. In a brief filed late last week, the RIAA said that the MP3 files on a PC owned by a file-sharing defendant who had admitted to ripping them himself were “unauthorized copies.”

Atlantic v. Howell is a bit unusual because the defendants, husband and wife Jeffrey and Pamela Howell, are defending themselves against the recording industry’s lawsuit without the benefit of a lawyer. They were sued by the RIAA in August 2006 after an investigator from SafeNet discovered evidence of file-sharing over the KaZaA network.

The Howells have denied any copyright infringement on their part. In their response to the RIAA’s lawsuit, they said that the MP3 files on their PC are and “always have been” for private use. “The files in question are for transfer to portable devices, that is legal for ‘fair use,’” reads their response.

After several years of litigation and nearly 30,000 lawsuits, making a copy of a CD you bought for your own personal usage is still a concept that the recording industry is apparently uncomfortable with. During the Jammie Thomas trial this fall, the head of litigation from Sony BMG testified that she believed that ripping your own CDs is stealing.

When asked by the RIAA’s lead counsel whether it was wrong for consumers to make copies of CDs they have purchased, Jennifer Pariser replied in the negative. “When an individual makes a copy of a song for himself, I suppose we can say he stole a song,” said Pariser. Making “a copy” of a song you own is just “a nice way of saying ’steals just one copy’,” according to Pariser.

Sorry, you knew SOMEBODY was gonna go there. Might as well have been yours truly.

Barry Bonds was indicted Thursday for perjury and obstruction of justice, charged with lying when he told a federal grand jury that he did not knowingly use performance-enhancing drugs.

If convicted on all five counts, baseball’s home run king could go to prison for up to 30 years.

“During the criminal investigation, evidence was obtained including positive tests for the presence of anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing substances for Bonds and other athletes,” the indictment read. — [ Source ]

On a case, that’s being reported, as being 4 years in the making. So the powers that be chose to go ahead with this AFTER the man destroys all of the records and retires. Sounds like sour grapes!

The White House quickly weighed in on the indictment. President Bush is a former owner of the Texas Rangers.

“The president is very disappointed to hear this,” Bush spokesman Tony Fratto said. “As this case is now in the criminal justice system, we will refrain from any further specific comments about it. But clearly this is a sad day for baseball.” — [ Source ]

Pfft. Why the hell did anybody ask the President ANYTHING that wasn’t about getting out of the wars?

But yeah yo, Barry’s going down. While discussing this with mi compadre Mallzini, he enlightened me on what’s in Barry’s future.

“They are gonna f**k him ’til he looks like skinny Bonds again. Rape the Balco out that ni**a.” — Mallz

Excessive jail rape indeed.

Michael Jordan was asked about this and he said:
“Make it rain in this b**ch!” — Michael Jordan

He then proceeded to throw a wad of millions in the air lit a cigar and walked off the interview.

Note: MJ is the only person to have a million dollar bills in his wallet at all times. I’m running a pool on how much time he gets soon. I’ma ask DP to host it or something. Because CLEARLY you are definitely spending time incarceration for perjury word to Lil’ Kim and Martha Stewart.

But it ain’t over yet boys and girls…

T.I.’s legal team had previously offered $2.2 million in cash and $1.5 million in equity in property that he owns. In addition, Kevin Liles, president of Warner Bros. Music Group and Lyor Cohen, president of Atlantic Records each offered $100,000 of their own money.

U.S. Magistrate Alan Baverman said although the additional funds were unnecessary, he would not release T.I. until a few conditions were met.

By the judge’s order, T.I. must wear an electronic monitoring device linked to a security company. The only two adults who will be regularly allowed on his property are the rapper’s long-time, live-in girlfriend and mother of one of his children, Tiny, and a federal agent. All other visitors must be placed on a pre-authorized list to be approved by the court, and they will be limited to three visitors per day during normal daylight hours. All visitors must be searched and adhere to background checks. His mother can visit but is not allowed to live with the rapper. Also, before Tip can move back in, a full sweep of his house must be done in search of a hidden safe and any contraband that may be on the premises.

Getting T.I. out of jail and under house arrest was reportedly a long shot considering the rapper’s previous cocaine-dealing conviction. Prosecutors wanted to keep him in jail until his trial, which has yet to be set.

T.I. faces up to 10 years in prison as well as $250,000 fine for each count. While he has posted bond, it is unclear when T.I. will officially be set free. — [ Source ]

Method Man getting serious about how people view him. And he’s not liking how people are doggin’ the Wu while giving GFK props.

A Washington Post poll results yield questions about Black Men confidence about life in general.

Sometimes, Myspace is a monster. And sometimes it’s heaven-sent. And she has a feature on hiphopdx. For? Who Cares.

Create your own exclusive Nike Air Max (from ‘91 to present) at Nike ID. Currently sold out of ’91’s and ’95’s. But will restock soon. Tight.

DMX aka Dog can’t get enough of handcuffs and jail,