Several fans asked me where this quote I posted earlier about Michael Jackson being against putting music fans in jail for downloading music was from. I found the source and this is interesting. Michael Jackson was reacting to a proposed bill in the US in 2003, known as the Authors, Consumer and Computer Owners Protection and Security Act (ACCOPS), which carried penalties of up to five years in prison (sounds familiar?) and a $250,000 fine for uploading a copyrighted file to a peer-to-peer (P2P) network.
On July 21st, 2003, Michael Jackson issued the following press release:
Michael Jackson expressed concern over the “Authors, Consumer and Computer Owners Protection and Security Act of 2003 (ACCOPS Act) as introduced in the House of Representatives. The legislation, if passed, would make it a federal felony to download even one single copyrighted work, which includes music.
Jackson said, “I am speechless about the idea of putting music fans in jail for downloading music. It is wrong to illegally download, but the answer cannot be jail.”
Jackson called on artists, the music industry and consumers to find a solution together. Jackson said, “Here in America we create new opportunities out of adversity, not punitive laws and we should look to new technologies, like Apple’s new Music Store for solutions. This way innovation continues to be the hallmark of America. It is the fans that drive the success of the music business; I wish this would not be forgotten.”
At that time, the iTunes Music Store was still brand new — it opened on April 28, 2003, only 3 months before Michael Jackson’s statement. It is now the biggest music vendor in the United States.
(Sources: The Mac Observer / BBC)
