When The RIAA Is The 'Standard' For Evil

from the pr-challenges dept

Fri, Nov 12th 2010 1:01pm — Mike Masnick

BearGriz72 was the first of a few of you to send in this amusing reader contest from Cracked, in which they asked readers to create images that showed "if other industries were as evil as the RIAA." Some are pretty funny. Here are two of my favorites, but go check them all out:

by The_Frederick

by JesusVsStarWars However, what really struck me about this, is how the RIAA has now been considered the absolute epitome of "evil," in a rather mainstream way. This is pretty incredible for an organization that's supposed to represent companies who provide something that many people really like. It's difficult to think of an example of an organization that has so regularly made self-defeating moves. Of course, some (including those in the RIAA) might argue that as an organization, the RIAA's job is to take the arrows for its major label members (Warner Music, Universal Music, EMI and Sony Music). However, I think that those who believe that are being a bit naive in believing that most people don't view those four labels and the RIAA in the same light.

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Filed Under: evil
Companies: riaa

17 Comments

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David (profile), 12 Nov 2010 @ 1:21pm

Actually, I found it funny...
I found it funny that they felt a need to dial up the rhetoric on the movie studios... They're making the same mistakes.

I think the photo in the number 1 spot is priceless, though.
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- Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 12 Nov 2010 @ 1:44pm
  
  Re: Actually, I found it funny...
  Yeah, the game one, #14, already happens as well.
  
  I laughed my ass off at #3, the bottled water one (once I figured out what it was).
  
  31 Flavors SWAT.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Nov 2010 @ 1:40pm

EMI? They still exist?
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trilobug, 12 Nov 2010 @ 2:53pm

Blue Team Go!
The winner is gold. I laughed so loud, people in my office think I'm crazy...
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Nov 2010 @ 2:56pm

I disagree Mike, the RIAA is doing a fantastic job of taking the heat for the things that Warner Music, Universal Music, EMI and Sony Music want done.

You never see anyone say "Fuck Warner Music, Fuck Universal Music, Fuck EMI and Fuck Sony Music.

They only say "Fuck the RIAA"

I'm willing to bet you real money that more than 80% of those people are clueless as to whom is behind the RIAA.
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- Anonymous Coward, 12 Nov 2010 @ 3:24pm
  
  Re:
  On the contrary, I'd say RIAA has simply become synonymous for "Music Industry".
  
  In fact, you see it quite a bit on comments...any time ANY music related lawsuit is announced, the standard response is "Fuck the RIAA"...even if it has nothing to do with the RIAA.
  
  It's true that the four big labels don't take the direct heat...only because EVERY music business and EVERY artist organization has been branded.
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- Anonymous Coward, 12 Nov 2010 @ 5:25pm
  
  Re:
  Well I dunno, I said "Fuck Time Warner" twice this week and I usually say "Fuck Sony" at least once a day. My appetite for profanity leaves lots of room for inclusion.
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Karl (profile), 12 Nov 2010 @ 3:22pm

It's all about teh sexxee
I think #4 is my favorite from this list:

You have exceeded the number of free sexual fantasies (5) allowed for this celebrity.

Press OK to download and install "Barnyard Extension Package" ($10.99) or cancel to run "Cold Showers and Dead Puppies" memory sequence.

But my all-time favorite has to be the Onion satire: RIAA Sues Radio Stations For Giving Away Free Music.

It's funny because it actually happened:

Broadcasting music without payment is akin to piracy, the industry says.

"It�s a form of piracy, if you will, but not in the classic sense as we think of it," said Martin Machowsky, a musicFirst spokesman.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Nov 2010 @ 4:23pm

The Soundcloud is proof that no-talent RIAA producers are no longer needed.
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sehlat (profile), 12 Nov 2010 @ 4:28pm

If you're going to do stuff like this, include a beverage warning!
[grin]Or I'll sue![/grin]
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BearGriz72 (profile), 12 Nov 2010 @ 6:48pm

My Favorite...
Actually was the First one (Last Place?). The CAPTCHA on the Fire Alarm, but I was rolling by the time I finished. Thats why I had to send it in.
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mike allen (profile), 13 Nov 2010 @ 12:25am

my fav
the highway one if driving a unauthorised car p0lease find another route.
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Nov 2010 @ 7:52am

'The tighter your grip, the more star systems will slip away'
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Gene Cavanaugh, 13 Nov 2010 @ 9:32am

Corporate evil
Excellent article. Perhaps it would be good to point out that the evil involved is pervasive (possibly explaining how RIAA avoids being "taken down" by consumers).
Name a "successful" company; AT&T (my "special" favorite denizen of the "dark side") or PG&E, or .....
If there weren't so much evil in the world, RIAA would be in big trouble, but they sort of blend in to the background.
Oh, where is campaign finance reform when you need it?
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2010 @ 5:05am

"This is pretty incredible for an organization that's supposed to represent companies who provide something that many people really like."

The thing is these companies don't provide what people like, the artists do. The record companies mainly try to get themselves between the artists and us. It's not hard to get a reputation for evil when someone creates something you sell 2.6 million unit of doesn't get paid and in fact owes you money.
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Tangaroa, 14 Nov 2010 @ 4:32pm

"... any descriptions or accounts of the game without the NFL's consent are prohibited."

At least they haven't taken to suing people yet, but if they repeat that line for a long enough time then some judge somewhere is going to find that continuing to watch the game is implied consent to the NFL's terms. On the other hand, telling them they can't do it raises a free speech issue.
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abc gum, 14 Nov 2010 @ 4:43pm

"At least they haven't taken to suing people yet"

Not a suit - yet
http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2007/03/nfl-fumbles-dmca-takedown-battle-could-face-sancti ons.ars
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