For Coldfire

The BBQ Pit
1

Well, as you seem to be un-emailable and un-messagable, this complaint can go here.

Hi there. I would just like to clarify something with regards to the posting you answered re: Missy Higgins. (Can’t find this singer!!)

Firstly, nowhere in my posting was I asking for information re: downloading illegal music.

The download that I had found was available from a concert she performed at for Unearthed. And was listed and made available by that source.

Secondly, her material is not readily available in a record store in the United States. Hence, my asking:

‘Anyone have any idea if she’s actually got any other recordings out there?’

I’m not looking for an apology here, but wanted you to know that I don’t appreciate the insinuation that I am a criminal, posted in a public forum by a Moderator who has no idea who I am, or apparently, what I was asking.

2

Whoo boy…

3

First, provide a link for our listening audience…

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=153776

Second, I think you are overreacting. Being as I’ve posted questionable material before, that has been locked, I can say that everytime one of my threads has been locked I realize my mistake (after the fact :smack: ). Realize that ColdFire is doing what is in the best interest of the board, and is not brandishing you a criminal.

4

Link?

5

Also, I did want to point out that, while you did not ask specifically for a “how to”, the insinuation is most certainly there. Also, an implication of illegally gotten material is evident in your line:
“The only thing I’ve found of hers to download is ‘I’m All for Believing’”

While it is possible to get the song downloaded legally, on the net, I think this is highly questionable.

Think of it like this, if I posted: “Hey, I just scored some really good drugs at the A&P on 5th avenue, I’d like to find some more”; while I could have meant aspirin, the implication is there.

That’s just MHO.

6

I’m not sure what you mean by Coldfire being un-emailable. His e-mail address is in his profile, or you can click on the button marked email at the bottom of any post by him. Every e-mail I’ve sent him has been responded to promptly.

Please keep in mind that straightdope.com is a public, commercial enterprise run by a newspaper. They have good reason to be concerned about liability issues.

CJ

7

Is there something new here? Coldfire was simply “going by the book” regarding a very long-standing SDMB policy regarding discussion of the downloading of copyrighted material. You were given neither favourable nor unfavourable treatment; your thread was closed for the same reasons as countless before it.

The policy, as I am aware of it, is for moderators to err on the side of caution when deciding whether a particular thread is doubtful. That was done.

No problem. Forget it and move on.

8

I had tried to email him, yes.

And they should be just as concerned about potentially libelous statements regarding illegal activity.

Really, I’m not out for blood here. The post just got my Irish up because I really and truly resent the implication. I have nothing against Coldfire him/or herself. I enjoy this forum, and the exchange of ideas and information that occurs.

My goal was to find out if anyone else had heard of her, or known of any recordings she may have out there. Not to be the Jezebel of the recording industry, bent on the ruin of many a well-tailored suit.

9

I have to agree with Liakela’s concern here. As a generally law-abiding person, I understood her request at face value and was surprised by the lock and comment. I don’t download music, but when I shop for music at Amazon, for example, my searches oftem bring up offers of music downloads, including free and promotional material.

I cartainly understand SDMB’s policy, and appreciate the enormous amount of work it takes to be a mod, but in this instance, it seems to me that the OP was legitimate and rule-abiding and was misinterpreted because so other folks out there are not.

10

That particular song is made available for download legally by the Australian Broadcasting Corp, here.

It’s clear that Liakela hasn’t done anything wrong w/r/t copyright, and there’s no clear indication she was looking to steal music.

That being said, Liakela, one thing that you should know about this board is that it is maintained by The Chicago Reader, and from their point of view it’s important to maintain a zero-tolerance policy to protect their assets- the Digital Millenium Copyright Act makes them a prime target for litigation should anything untoward take place on the board.

We need to be mindful of this. Your thread would have been totally okay if you’d made it specifically clear that you were only interested obtaining music legally. Even if the benefit of the doubt were extended to you, the way the OP was phrased, it was only a matter of time before someone provided a link to a file-sharing utility, which would be a liability for the CR-- And the last thing we want is the suits deciding that maintaining a message board isn’t worth the potential risk.

Without a bit of research, it’s not clear that the singer you’re interested in came to light in a sort of “Star Search” program, (if that’s the case, it seemed that way to me after a cursory examination of the site,) and that you’re interested to know if she actually has a record available for purchase.

Don’t take it as a personal attack, it’s just necessary caution.

PS-- it’s refreshing to see a true innocent around here. :slight_smile:

11

Geeze Louise. I just responded to your e-mail, Liakela. Within half an hour of receiving it, I might add.

A little impatient, are we? You’re free to post my entire response in this thread, as it might help clear the confusion somewhat.

12
  • Half an hour?* Are you insane Coldfire? In the fast paced world we live in, half an hour is a lifetime! Geez what were you doing? Spending time with the kids? Petting the dog? THERES NO TIME FOR THAT! You should be sitting there waiting patiently for e-mail and then responding without any delay! Geez…
13

He’s been sluffing off. :wink:

14

Just wanted to add, there are an increasing number of musicians posting their music for download for free. I once downloaded an incredably long phish concert from their website, all perfectly legal. Many bands/artists are getting increasingly fed up with being screwed over by the industry, and since they make next to nothing onthe actual sales of CD’s, they are making more and more of their music available for free download.

15

laughs

Well, the reason I posted ‘un-emailable’ was because I was getting returns and errors on the email I sent.

Sorry if you got it, I didn’t know.

And as I was forced dramatic sigh to open Outlook to get your email, here it is, posted in it’s entirety.

Good day. I’ve answered your questions below.

----- Original Message -----
From: [Liakela]
To: [Coldfire]
Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 10:46 PM
Subject: Re: Straight Dope Board
Hi there. I would just like to clarify something with regards to the posting you answered re: Missy Higgins.

Firstly, nowhere in my posting was I asking for information re: downloading illegal music. And I deeply resent the insinuation.

You said:

"The only thing I’ve found of hers to download is ‘I’m All for Believing’. But I’ve heard about three other songs as well, all of them as good or better than the next."

Surely, you understand that this sounds like you’re looking to download songs, rather than purchase them.
**
The download that I had found was available from a concert she performed at for Unearthed. And was listed and made available by that source.**

I noticed this download is available at the artist’s website as well. It was also the only song available for download. Another reason why I came to the conclusion that any other downloads from this artist would be breaching copyrights.
**
Secondly, her material is not readily available in a record story in the United States. Hence, my asking:

‘Anyone have any idea if she’s actually got any other recordings out there?’

I’m not looking for an apology here, but just thought you should know that I don’t appreciate being labeled a criminal in a public forum by a Moderator who has no idea who I am, or apparently, what I was asking.**

You’ll forgive me for not checking every record store in your area, or indeed every American record store website. There is nothing wrong with asking what recordings this artist has produced: it’s just that you should avoid the impression that you are looking to download these recordings. You were not “labeled a criminal”, you were told that soliciting information in order to illegally download music is not allowed on our boards, and you were prohibited from doing so by the closure of the thread at hand.

Obviously, my interpretation of your words was incorrect. On the other side of the equation, you could have worded your question a little more carefully.
From our registration agreement: “You agree not to post any material that in our opinion fosters or promotes illegal activity.”

In my opinion, you could have easily avoided looking like you broke this rule. The Chicago Reader, being a producer of intellectual property itself, frowns heavily on any kind of copyright enfringement. Subsequently, the moderators of The Straight Dope Message Board tend to be cautious when these matters are discussed on the boards: hence, my “negative” interpretation of your words.

All in all, no harm, no foul. And I hope this answers your questions.

Regards,
Coldfire
for The Straight Dope

BCC: SD Staff
Thread for reference: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?&threadid=153776

16

Janis Ian (whom I’ve been listening to since I was just a wee bairn in the 70s) makes some interesting comments about the recording industry here.

17

Liakela, welcome to the board! I think you’ll do just fine around here. One thing to keep in mind – since we’re a truly international bunch, if someone doesn’t respond right away, they might have turned in for the night or even gone to work. Heck, some folks have even been known to take vacations.

Anyway, from what I’ve seen here, I look forward to seeing more of you.

CJ

18

:eek: Bunch of weirdos!

19

Do any other mods besides Coldfire ever get pitted? I think Manhattan has been once or twice, but Coldfire must have the record by a long shot.

20

and not only in pit thread appearances I hear. :wink: