Muxtape has been closed down by the RIAA. Muxtape was an mp3 streaming site that allowed users to upload their favorite mixed tapes and stream them to their friends. It should be protected by the DMCA safeharbor. I am looking for a better explination of the RIAA’s legal claim.
RIAA their own statement:
For the past several months, we have communicated our legal concerns with the site and repeatedly tried to work with them to have illegal content taken down. Muxtape was hosting copies of copyrighted sound recordings without authorization from the copyright owners. Making these recordings available for streaming playback also requires authorization from the copyright owners. Muxtape has not obtained authorization from our member companies to host or stream copies of their sound recordings,
Here is Fred Von Lohmann’s response at RollingStone.com:
“I think they have a strong legal defense. The problem is if they might not have that money to go to court and take on the RIAA.” Von Lohmann said legal fees could cost around $2-3 million, an investment the Websites would likely rather spend on tech engineers.
Links:
http://muxtape.com/
Boing Boing review from March 2008
mtv.com MTV news on the shutdown
Credit to the Open Rights Group for startng a conversation on this story.
