NMPA suing XM Radio for copyright infringement

Just about the time that XM Radio was finally able to sit down and hammer out some figures for the upcoming merger, the poor satellite radio firm has hit yet another legal snag, and this time it's care of the NMPA. The National Music Publishers Association have officially filed suit against XM, claiming that the "XM + MP3" music service bypasses copyright laws by giving users the ability "to make permanent copies of on-air tracks" with units like the hotly-debated Inno. Quite similar to other gripes brought against the outfit in the past, this dispute claims that XM's service "constitutes pervasive and willful copyright infringement to the overwhelming detriment of copyright holders, legitimate online music services and, ultimately, consumers," but we're still scratching our heads on the "consumers" bit too. Nevertheless, the NMPA is requesting demanding a maximum of $150,000 in "damages" for each work purportedly infringed by XM, but the sat radio company seems to be brushing this one aside as it claims that "the lawsuit is without merit." These guys just can't do anything right, eh?

[James @ Mar 23rd 2007 10:29PM]

This is stupid I dont need an Inno to record xm, I can do it anyway, its just like any other recorder out there, they have no case.

[Iridium @ Mar 23rd 2007 11:30PM]

Wow remember cassette recorders that were built into just about every radio. You listened to a radio station and hit record. Then you could trade tapes with your friends.

I think we need more lawsuits. How about backing up the consumer copy protection act for once and allow the consumer to exercise the rights that were granted by the governemnt.

[ddaw735 @ Mar 23rd 2007 11:37PM]

Before they merged I would haved cared I hope the NMPA wins.

[Ian @ Mar 24th 2007 9:42AM]

ddawn: They haven't merged yet. The boards approved plans to merge, but there is no government approval yet etc etc. On top of which, why would you ever want the NMPA to win? You want people taking your rights away just because its a company you don't like? What happens when they win and the precedent gets set so when there IS something you like it gets applied to that also?

[Phoenixfury @ Mar 24th 2007 11:06AM]

Granted this isn't the RIAA, this is just another branch in the music industry that just doesn't get it. Apparently none of the suits in the music industry are consumers themselves. They just totally miss the bigger picture and think anything that benefits the consumer will lose them money. For instance the music industry wasn't exactly thrilled about Apple wanting to sell $1 tracks, but I found picking and choosing what tracks I liked lead me to eventually buy the entire cd. Now this is where I think they are going wrong with suing XM. Lets say you do record some music you enjoy. Now lets say your browsing music at your local Walmart and you see a song or two you recognize. You check your music player and verify that that one or two songs you heard were ones you really enjoy. Odds are you'll buy that artist's cd right then on the spot. Heck I do this all the time with my iPod. My iPod has lead me to buying more cd's than I ever have. Get a clue music industry, quit trying to kill yourself and let us help make you money.