News: Music Pirates' Hack Attack

[Hopper1]

By Bridget Byrne

For about an hour Wednesday, it sure seemed like it, with the Recording Industry Association of America ( news - web sites)'s own Website declaring: "RIAA against music sharing? Not anymore!"

But that wasn't the sentiment of the association; it was the work of hackers.

The illegal intrusion came hard on the heels of an industry survey that pointed the finger at file-sharing Websites for declining CD sales--an accusation those sites refute.

It's the second time in recent weeks the industry group's Website has been attacked, but this assault was even more devastating.

Last time, the site was merely frozen by an overload of connection requests. This time, its content was heavily altered to spout pro-piracy lines.

As of this afternoon, the site had not yet been restored. The industry trade group is staying mum about the incident, beyond acknowledging to the Hollywood Reporter a "problem" with the site that was being fixed.

Beyond the pro-piracy headline on the site's intro page, hackers posted lengthy attacks on the group's anti-piracy stance, satirical messages and numerous links to online music-sharing sites such as KaZaA.

According to reports, one link even offered up a download of Linkin Park's hit remix album Reanimation as a "token of its goodwill" and an apology for the "heavy-handed manner" in which Listen4ever.com, the Chinese file-trading site, was shut down.

There also were a few silly jokes, including an "Inside the RIAA" column purportedly written by South Park's foul-mouthed psycho tyke Eric Cartman.

Overall, the hack was a guerilla assault against the record industry's hard-line stance against file-sharing distributors. Among other things, the group is pushing for a law that would allow for the electronic surveillance of file-sharing sites.

The sales-sensitive record industry reports a 10.1 percent drop in music shipments in the first half of this year, compared to last. (From $5.93 billion to a mere $5.53 billion.) And so far, only 20 titles have sold more than 1 million this year, compared to 37 titles last year.



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[NuTs62]

Ehhhh, I normally don't like hackers, well, because they do baaaad stuff but ehh, this is hilarious!! I guess I'm biased.. but way to go!!!

[GraingerGuy]

I think it's funny too!

But the only thing is that with this attack I'm sure that the RIAA is going to be even worse with the whole MP3 thing. They are going to spout some BS saying, "See! This is what MP3 collecting does to you!"

Bah!

Stupid RIAA.

[Cantacuzene]

Hacking a site in a humorous way like that isnt bad in my opinion. Its like doing artful grafitti in washable paint. As long as they didnt steal anything during the hack it will remain a humorous black eye for the riaa.

[Grimm]

Gawd!!!! Just because someone wants to share music (as in fair use) they are pro-piracy??? Talk about a strong bias!

I realy wish somone would break into the RIAA headquarters and really show them what piracy is. A few disembowlings, floggings, and realy having their things stolen might give them a better perspective.

RIAA here is a clue: WE ARE IN A RECESSION YOUR PROFITS WILL DROP.

The RIAA is attempting, and succeding, in changing the existing and fair laws for the purpose of making more money. They are paying off your government officials with "campaign contributions" to sell you out. They are reducing the quality of your life so they can be even richer. They use smoke and mirrors to try to take more of your hard earned money.

The behavior or the RIAA and the music industry is revolting. Please show your disapproval by not buying any more of their products untill they take their hands out of our pockets. Let your COngressman know how you feel. Let the politicians know that if they side with the RIAA they will lose your vote and you will encoruage others to do the same.

[Ladogaboy]

Originally posted by Grimm

RIAA here is a clue: WE ARE IN A RECESSION YOUR PROFITS WILL DROP.

This reminds me of a blurb I heard on the radio the other day: "If you burn your own CDs, chances are that you are responsible for the 7% drop in CD sales over the last year."

Haha, no other explanation, just that. They didn't even say who sponsored the ad.

[Merlin]

Originally posted by Grimm
RIAA here is a clue: WE ARE IN A RECESSION YOUR PROFITS WILL DROP.

What the hackers should have done was put up that quote followed immeadiately by that master of the obvious picture that pops up here every now and again.

I hope that someone over at RIAA sees the irony in this. They get hacked while petitioning to be able to hack themselves. Oh well, live by the sword, die by the sword.

[whitak24]

Originally posted by Merlin
I hope that someone over at RIAA sees the irony in this. They get hacked while petitioning to be able to hack themselves. Oh well, live by the sword, die by the sword.

i hadn't even though of that angle

somehow, i don't think they'll even notice