My letter to my Reps re: bill making file sharing a felony

Tell me what ya think! I'm open to suggestions and critiques.

Dear Representatives:

I am writing to address the proposed Conyers-Berman bill which attempts to make on-line file sharing a felony. I am writing to urge you to reconsider the bill for the following reasons.

1. It is unrealistic to assume that the RIAA and they’re lobbyists can end the sharing of music files (mp3’s) while such a wide variety of other types of files are in circulation by the millions over various networks everyday.

2. Criminalizing such a widespread and widely-enjoyed activity will only create animosity towards Congress and the music industry, and engender disrespect for the law.

3. Such draconian laws are the reason that, after billions of taxpayer dollars spent, we are still losing the so-called “war on drugs.” There is no logic in taking strategies that have failed to combat one social ill and importing them into the service of combating another.

4. There is no evidence whatsoever that making file-sharing a felony will actually reduce file-sharing.


As an artist and musician myself who stands to lose money from file sharing, I also understand the intrinsic value of the practice. By refusing to embrace a seemingly inevitable technological advance in the distribution of music, the RIAA and their lobbyists have chosen instead to litigate the problem away and criminalize their own customers – people who justifiably feel that $16.99 for a CD with 72 minutes of music is an exorbitant price.

As wildly popular as file-sharing has become I am both surprised and offended at the lack of foresight amongst recording industry professionals for failing to see the simple supply/demand equation here. The RIAA is attempting to criminalize file-sharing while at the same time failing to offer a viable, legal alternative to the consumer.

I urge you to communicate this message to the RIAA and their lobbyists on behalf of these consumers. As is the outcome of any revolution, the internet notwithstanding, radical changes have resulted from on-line file-sharing communications. The internet has changed the distribution of information, goods, and services forever. As a result the onus should be on the industry to be malleable and have the foresight necessary to grow with those changes, not against them, to continue to meet the needs of their customers.

and rational

superb letter! I can't see anything I think you should change.

Kudos to you.

in point 1 "they're lobbyists" should be "their lobbyists"

otherwise I didn't see any grammar/spelling problems.