The events of the last several days involving the RIAA's assault on consumers with subpoenas, law suits, congressional hearings and public relations blitz is actually the culmination of a campaign that began many years ago to slowly but inexorably change the United States Copyright Act ( 17 U.S. Code 101 et. seq.) into an instrument of global power to be wielded by large media conglomerates in the unfolding digital age. Far from its constitional purpose of promoting the arts by securing for limited times for authors the fruits of their labors, it has become a monstrosity, through a series of tortured amendments and pretzel logic. It now regulates both artists' and consumer's behavior while ignoring its traditional function of regulating the behavior of competitors.

This is not new. It was obvious as early as 1984 (Sony v Betamax) that the consumer was viewed by the media as the greatest competitor to its monopoly. What is new is the total disregard for American civil rights that the new foreign owners of the record business (Sony, BMG, EMI. and Vivendi, who cynically call themselves the "Recording Industry Association of America") have exhibited in lobbying for laws that have only heretofore existed in other nations. Yes, it can happen here, and it already has.

What we are experiencing now is a forerunner of things to come,, with expanded Patriot Act powers and other paramilitary measures slowly being implemented in the US after 9/11. Due Process and freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures are in jeopardy.

Musicians should not be the harbingers of fascism. The Copyright Act must be reformed. In the coming weeks, this will be made more evident as we report on the latest RIAA atrocities.