Update on Donations
Posted by Joel Tenenbaum
I shared music. I was the one who wanted a say in court. This lawsuit was against me. This is my verdict. I ask no one to help me. And I ask for no one to cover what I signed up for.
That being said, people started spontaneously messaging me, facebooking me, and twittering me — some even felt compelled to donate — and I have been touched. So many people saw this as their fight too, and so many people just wanted to ask how I was. I can’t keep up with the response I’ve been getting and it’s been inspiring.
Yesterday morning, I saw someone start what looked like a grassroots initiative on twitter for me. Since the verdict came down Friday afternoon, we’ve gotten about $2000. Debbie, one of the students working on my case, saw the movement and was inspired to encourage people to do the same.
Ray Beckerman makes a point: we don’t want the RIAA to be paid when I can’t afford to do it, and this money could be more valuable elsewhere. From the money raised already, I would like to reimburse my legal team for the money they’ve spent out of their own pockets, and we’ll have more court costs yet, so we will use the donations to keep us in court as far as we need to go.
If money remains beyond that, I am open to a discussion with Charlie, Ray Beckerman, and our supporters (you donated it, after all) as to what to do with the rest of it. For example, Beckerman recommendsthe FSF’s expert witness defense fund. https://my.fsf.org/donate/directed-donations/riaa/
A million thank yous to everyone who feels that my story is their story too.
Cheers,
Joel Tenenbaum
Thank you for this update. I was one of the people who donated, and I was worried the money might be going into the hands of the RIAA. Now I’m glad to see it’s going to a more worthy cause.
Having read this, I’ll make a donation, too. Keep up the good work and make sure to publish as much information as possible. The more of this stuff reaches the creative people who really make the music, the better. I’m sure these lawsuits cost them more sales due to bad PR than any filesharing site out there.
Music forever!
I was horrified to hear that such a punitive and disproportinate fine had been levied against >just one individual<! Just plain wrong! Such stomping jackboots make themselves the fathers dissent and revolution.
Best of luck with the appeal, Joel.
But if that is unsuccessful WTG! declaring bankruptcy. I hope the RIAA don’t see dollar 1 of that ludicrous fine. We’ll all look after you during your financial exile.
[...] my verdict.
I was happy to donate. I’m even happier if the RIAA never see any of my money.
Boycott the RIAA!
[...] paid when I can’t afford to do it, and this money could be more valuable elsewhere," he writes on Joel Fights Back. "From the money raised already, I would like to reimburse my legal team [...]
I have a case open with the Cincinnati FBI White Collar Crimes Division tracing the global crime rings of music and the entertainment industry and more. They are stealing and embezzling money, some are guilty of charges like arsen and attempted manslaughter, and they willingly and deliberately set out to rip everyone off, including artists, to pocket the money themselves. We’ve been investigating this for a little while and have hordes of evidence against them. We’re still collecting evidence right now, but I guarantee you they will be exposed for their crimes, including this. I try to keep updates on my youtube channel comments-as-notebook; it’s my only outside link for this case. We should have it done before your appeal. I’ve gone so far as to contact the BBC to prepare them for a global entertainment industry collapse, so many will be under arrest. This is where internet bands shine!
I don’t know what stuns me more - the hypocrisy or the hubris. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this the same industry who got nailed to the wall for the “payola” scandal of the 50’s? The same industry that bent over backwards to keep artists well-lubricated and higher than a kite, while profiting from their creativity?
RIAA, the MPAA, the DMCA, and the DRM are living proof - politicians ARE the best men (and women) that money can buy!
Good luck with your appeals!
The record labels are scum and just because they have the cash required to bribe judges and politicians does not mean they have any moral high ground.
They are thieving scum and they just want to protect their ill gotten gains. I hope your appeal goes well but lets face it, unless you manage to find a judge that isnt corrupt youve got no chance.
Fuck the record labels and fuck the bent legal system that lets them get away with this kind of shit.
[...] será un héroe para nuestra libertad. Porque apelará y seguirá peleando contra este absurdo.Joel no pagará y dice que está discutiendo con las personas que donaron, si usar el dinero para pagarle a su [...]
I will donate 25$ if you will keep them from the record labels and only use it to you self or your fight, the people of Denmark support you.
America está contigo hermano, amen.
I’m with my namesake….I think the real criminals are on the streets… killing people.. selling drugs… committing violations….. but it’s sad that laws can´t reach them…. and I really think all this is so estupid as hypocritical… Joel Tenenbaum is a victim of USA hipocrisy system laws……
I suggest that everyone stop buying music for a week to show the RIAA where the real power resides. Copyright was allowed in the Constitution to encourage innovation, not to limit ideas or to enrich organizations. Society has created an environment where these innovations can happen, where ideas can be shared, to create new ideas and innovations. Locking them away defeats the entire purpose of what the founding fathers were trying to do with the copyright clause. The original limit was 7 years, which would allow everyone to share in the intellectual process, not to restrict it to a privileged few. The money is not to pay the artists. This is a classic example about greed and the hunger for power.
Publicize the names of the companies who are sponsoring this prosecution. The recording industry is supported by the goodwill of the public. The way to get the RIAA to change its behavior is to remind them that unjust prosecutions affect that goodwill.
Joel:
Joel:
I am going to go down and steal a CD from the record store. If I get nailed, will you donate to my defense? Thanks in advance!
- Tom
Tom, don’t be obtuse. It is because people like you perpetuate these lies that the system is not improving.
Stealing removes the original. Downloading makes a copy; and the original still exists.
Besides, these malignant middle-men who profit from other people’s work don’t deserve our money.
Stealing a retail CD doesn’t remove the original. A retail CD is just a copy in a shiny package. Tomorrow, I am going to take a $15 CD from Best Buy. It’s just a copy; the original master is still safe. I deserve that CD, but I don’t want to support the malignant middle men who were involved in its recording, manufacture, marketing and distribution. Hey, it only cost about 25 cents to manufacture; that’s all it is worth. Since those bastards at Best Buy won’t sell it to me for a quarter, I am going to liberate it, and strike a blow for musical freedom.
If I get caught, I will set up a web site and fight back. I’ll post the URL on this site so you can all help me pay my fine.
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]
Would you be interested in writing for The Neave Online Publication? I love your writing style and I feel like you would fit in perfectly with the other writers.
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]
[...] Joel Fights Back » Update on Donations [...]