Dolly Parton-Backwoods Barbie

I just read a really interesting transcript of a case called Elektra Entertainment V. Denise Barker. Apparently this Denise Barker had over 600 files in her shared Kazaa folder, and Elektra discovered them. Well instead of rolling over and giving Elektra 5K or something she hired a good lawyer, Ray Beckerman. What Ray argued was that the motion should be dismissed, essentially because Elektra had no actual evidence of her sharing the files. They were in her shared folder, but they of course could not prove that she shared them. One interesting point was that Elektra downloading the files did not constitute copyright infringement because Elektra owned the copyrights. The key issues was really whether making them available on the internet was the same thing as distributing them or authorizing the distribution of them. The record companies had a convoluted series of supporting cases and interpretations of the law and its preamble to argue that making available was the same thing, but in my opinion and the opinion of the Honorable Kenneth M. Karas they did not prove the case. That means this case was thrown out. Now I am sure there will be appeal, but this may be a chink in the armor of the recording industry in these filesharing cases. I am sure I mentioned the Jonathan Lethem article about copyrights that I read the other day also, and I am starting to get worked up over this issue. Of course evolution v. intelligent design is as John Edwards would say the cause of my life, but this one is creeping up there.

Yesterday's album was Dolly Parton-Backwoods Barbie. Unlike her last few albums which were classic country/bluegrass, this one is pure new country/country pop. It pales in comparison to some of more recent efforts. I give it 7 out of 13.