FC: Groups assail RIAA's use of DMCA to unmask puported pirate

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

http://news.com.com/2100-1023-956176.html

   Watchdogs rap RIAA's file-trade assault
   By Declan McCullagh
   August 30, 2002, 4:40 PM PT

   WASHINGTON--A federal law that the recording industry is using to
   unmask a suspected Kazaa music-trader is unconstitutional, a coalition
   of nonprofit groups said late Friday.

   A dozen consumer and privacy groups filed an amicus brief in federal
   court here arguing that the Recording Industry Association of
   America's (RIAA) request for information about a Verizon
   Communications subscriber should be denied. Verizon has opposed the
   request on procedural grounds.

   The 30-page brief says the RIAA is relying on a portion of the
   controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act that violates
   Americans' right to be anonymous online. "Purported copyright owners
   should not have the right to violate protected, anonymous speech with
   what amounts to a single snap of the fingers," the brief said.

   [...]




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