LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Michael Jackson says Congress should make no laws that could land music fans in jail for downloading songs illegally over the Internet.
"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 released Monday.
The pop star was referring to a bill before Congress that would make it a federal felony to obtain copyright works over the Internet without permission.
"Here in America we create new opportunities out of adversity, not punitive laws ...," he said. "It is the fans that drive the success of the music business; I wish this would not be forgotten."
The recording industry blames illegal music file-swapping and CD burning for lackluster sales. It's preparing to file hundreds of civil lawsuits against people it suspects of music piracy.
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On the same subject of file sharing, a new file sharing site has been opened offering the lowest price yet to download songs. BuyMusic.com charges 70 cents per song.
Full Story about BuyMusic.com click link below:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/07/22/buy.music.ap/index.html
Jackson, 44, who's seen his own record sales lag in recent years, suggested the music industry and music fans should work together to figure it all out.
"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 released Monday.
The pop star was referring to a bill before Congress that would make it a federal felony to obtain copyright works over the Internet without permission.
"Here in America we create new opportunities out of adversity, not punitive laws ...," he said. "It is the fans that drive the success of the music business; I wish this would not be forgotten."
The recording industry blames illegal music file-swapping and CD burning for lackluster sales. It's preparing to file hundreds of civil lawsuits against people it suspects of music piracy.
_____________________________________
On the same subject of file sharing, a new file sharing site has been opened offering the lowest price yet to download songs. BuyMusic.com charges 70 cents per song.
Full Story about BuyMusic.com click link below:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/07/22/buy.music.ap/index.html
Jackson, 44, who's seen his own record sales lag in recent years, suggested the music industry and music fans should work together to figure it all out.
