Letter from RIAA CEO to their Members.... (Score 5)

The following was directed to all RIAA members by Hilary Rosen.

I regret to inform you that a suit was filed this afternoon against MP3.Com for copyright violations.

I regret us having to file this litigation because, as you know, I do not view litigation as the best means to a business strategy. I had hoped that we would have a different result and tried to work with Michael Robertson over the past few days to encourage license negotiations.

He ultimately refused to negotiate and therefore, a lawsuit seems to be the only way to resolve this.

I continue to believe that the best way to protect our rights on line is by your continuing to do creative deals, being in the on-line business aggressively and modeling good licensing approaches to Internet companies.

I know you agree.

Attached pleased find my letter to Michael Robertson as well as a useful Q and A for you to use as you confront questions about this action.

All the best,

Hilary Rosen
President and CEO
Recording Industry Association of America