The RIAA isn't satisfied with those already bloated statutory damages in file-sharing lawsuits, now they want you to pay an incredible $1.5 million for a ten-track album.

See, the problem is those dastardly compilation CDs. Who's to say that the songs came from a compilation album, or each from a separate album? The solution: fine each song as an individual album.

Yep, the RIAA wants each copied track to count as a separate act of infringement. So instead of a mere (and, still, absolutely ridiculous) $150,000 - the RIAA wants to count each song as it's own separate album. Meaning a ten-track soundtrack/compilation CD would run you a whopping $1.5 million in damages. (Forget the fact that the same song costs $1 from iTunes...)

It all part of the "PRO-IP" Act (aka, the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property act: H.R. 4279). A bill that that Google's own top copyright lawyer, called the most "outrageously gluttonous IP bill ever introduced in the US."

And guess who's among those who are sponsoring the so-called PRO-IP Act? None other than Reps. John Conyers (D-MI) and Steve Chabot (R-OH) - the boys who were "dismayed" by the prospect that the DOJ would be approving the Sirius-XM merger. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) is also among the 12 co-sponsors of the PRO-IP act, the man behind the now-dead Copyright Modernization Act which would have eventually prevented you from recording satellite radio.

Thank goodness these Congressmen aren't being influenced by lobbyists or anything.

[Ars Technica via Gizmodo]

Side note: Someone sent me a link the other day with the statement: Gen-Y doesn't pay for music, so "why the hell would they pay for something they can get for free?" (Thanks Chris!) This is totally true and one inherent problem with satellite radio's subscription model. And worse yet, the RIAA's style of legislation/litigation will only help to breed resentment and indignation... only making the problem worse.