The music industry, under the umbrella of musicunited.net, is taking immediate steps to reach out to peer-to-peer (P2P) users who illegally distribute copyrighted music. The Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA) and Gospel Music Association (GMA) officially announce its support of this effort, according to John W. Styll, president of both organizations.

Through the P2P networks’ publicly accessible Instant Messaging (IM) function, the music industry will send informational messages aimed at educating individuals that they are not anonymous when they illegally offer copyrighted music on these networks, and that there are real consequences that they can face as a result.

“In the ongoing battle to educate the minds and hearts of consumers about the illegal and unethical nature of music downloading, we think this new effort to use modern technology will speak directly and effectively to consumers. We know that fans of Christian and gospel music are among those who download music from the Internet, and we hope they will respond to the messages positively,” said Styll.

While not connected to the ruling, the new Instant Messaging effort comes as the courts announced a decision in the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) suit, Grokster/Streamcast, stating that these services are not liable because they are capable of non-infringing use. The RIAA plans an appeal, and says that the decision should not be seen as legitimizing unauthorized file trading of copyrighted music. The ruling confirmed that distributing and downloading copyrighted works on publicly accessible P2P networks is illegal and that users who do it are accountable for their actions.

“The courts continue to struggle with the difficult issues surrounding illegal downloading, CD burning, and piracy of music and there is no doubt it will be a long battle,” commented Styll. “Apart from this ongoing legal process, we, as a music industry, must continue to find ways to persuade consumers that unauthorized copying of copyrighted material is not only illegal, but also wrong and hurtful to the artists and to every single person who makes their living working in the music industry. And, we must be creative and innovative in our marketing, giving consumers a reason to buy their music instead of stealing it.”

The text of the Instant Message will be:

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT WARNING:
It appears that you are offering copyrighted music to others from your computer. Distributing or downloading copyrighted music on the Internet without permission from the copyright owner is ILLEGAL. It hurts songwriters who create and musicians who perform the music you love, and all the other people who bring you music.

When you break the law, you risk legal penalties. There is a simple way to avoid that risk: DON'T STEAL MUSIC, either by offering it to others to copy or downloading it on a "file-sharing" system like this.

When you offer music on these systems, you are not anonymous and you can easily be identified. You also may have unlocked and exposed your computer and your private files to anyone on the Internet. Don't take these chances. Disable the share feature or uninstall your "file-sharing" software. For more information on how, go to http://www.musicunited.net/5_takeoff.html.

This warning comes from artists, songwriters, musicians, music publishers, record labels, and hundreds of thousands of people who work at creating and distributing the music you enjoy. We are unable to receive direct replies to this message. For more information about this Copyright Warning, go to www.musicunited.net.

The CMTA (www.cmta.com) is the contemporary Christian and gospel music industry’s trade organization responsible for managing the Christian SoundScan and creating opportunities for growth and penetration of the marketplace for music-related products, services and activities that communicate the gospel throughout the world.

MusicUnited.net is music united for a strong Internet copyright, and is supported by many music organizations including Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies American Federation of Musicians, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, ASCAP, Association for Independent Music, BMI, Christian Music Trade Association, Church Music Publishers Association-Action Fund, Country Music Association, Gospel Music Association, Music Performance Trust Funds, Nashville Songwriters Association International, National Association of Recording Merchandisers, National Music Publishers' Association, Recording Industry Association of America, Rhythm And Blues Foundation, and Tennessee Songwriters Association International.