Guest MrRant Report post Posted July 22, 2003 LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop star Michael Jackson (news) has jumped into the Internet music file swapping controversy, speaking out against a proposed federal law that would make copying songs illegally over the Web a felony punishable by jail time. "I am speechless about the idea of putting music fans in jail for downloading music. It is wrong to download but the answer cannot be jail," Jackson said in a statement. The self-described "King of Pop" was reacting specifically to a bill introduced by lawmakers on July 16 in the House of Representatives that makes illegal downloading of copyrighted materials a felony offense. "Here in America we create new opportunities out of adversity, not punitive laws," he said. "This way, innovation continues to be the hallmark of America. It is the fans that drive the success of the music business," he said. The embattled recording industry has recently stepped up its fight against illegal music file-swapping and CD burning and plans to file hundreds of suits against individuals it suspects of online piracy in coming weeks. The big labels blame piracy for a large part of the industry's two-year sales slump. Jackson's sales have also waned, with sales of his 2001 album, "Invincible," which cost an estimated $30 million to make, selling only about 2.1 million units in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Edwin MacPhisto Report post Posted July 22, 2003 Oh good, the insane mutant is on the file-sharers side. That'll make the RIAA stand up, take notice...and say "This evil must be stopped." ... ::listens to Thriller, cause it still rules:: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CoreyLazarus416 Report post Posted July 23, 2003 Considering Jackson has one of the highest-selling records of all-time, it just might. Where's the John Denver in this case? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MrRant Report post Posted July 23, 2003 He's dead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JangoFett4Hire Report post Posted July 23, 2003 Feeding the fish in the bottom on the pacific... Why do you ask? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted July 23, 2003 I think he's asking who's going to play the role John Denver played in the fight against the PMRC, of whatever four letters Tipper Gore's group of busybody beltway bitches was called. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crucifixio Jones Report post Posted July 23, 2003 OMG SEXISM~! BN PLZ~! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted July 23, 2003 You think having Jacko on our side does more good? Or harm? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ripper Report post Posted July 23, 2003 I think he's asking who's going to play the role John Denver played in the fight against the PMRC, of whatever four letters Tipper Gore's group of busybody beltway bitches was called. What...what do you have against busybodies...hmmm.. you ~Busybodyist Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 23, 2003 Well...I could see Bono doing the Denver Role here...but I don't know what his feelings are and it seems he cares about REAL FUCKING ISSUES like AIDS and Famine and shit...not fucking RIAA and Downloading shit... Who Plays Dee Snider? Ah Fuck....It's gonna be Durst isn't it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ripper Report post Posted July 23, 2003 "I think we're all in agreenance that this law has to stop." Yeah...that's where we're headed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 23, 2003 Actually...If I recall correctly Some dude from Webster said that was an actual word but used in the wrong context. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ripper Report post Posted July 23, 2003 Actually...If I recall correctly Some dude from Webster said that was an actual word but used in the wrong context. He used it correctly...its just that the word hadn't been used since the 17th century. But I'm pretty sure that Fred KNEW that. He was also a prophet because he was calling for the war to end before it even started. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 23, 2003 Scary thing...People been using that word more common now since then... DAMN YOU FRED! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Memphis Report post Posted July 24, 2003 What's this 'self-described King Of Pop' trash? Elizabeth Taylor was the first to call MJ that, she thought of it. M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest spiny norman Report post Posted July 24, 2003 Plus wouldn't Cliff Richard be more deserving of the King Of Pop title than Michael Jackson? I'm pretty sure he's had more hits. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 24, 2003 Eliz Taylor might have thought of it but Jacko went out and self-proclaimed himself to be the King Of Pop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Memphis Report post Posted July 24, 2003 MJ preaches it, sure, but he didn't wake up one morning and say "Fuck I'm great...I think I'll call myself the King Of Pop just because I can". The name was used by his best friend to describe his musical contributions and accomplishments. Justly so, IMO. M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 24, 2003 No Arguement here on that Jacko shouldn't be known as King of Pop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CoreyLazarus416 Report post Posted July 24, 2003 I have a feeling that, like, James Hetfield will play the John Denver role. Oh, wait...Russo's not booking this... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted July 28, 2003 You think having Jacko on our side does more good? Or harm? Probably good. He's a freak, to be sure, but he's the best known freak on Earth... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
