nettwerk to RIAA: "take off, ya hosers."

Canadian music label Nettwerk, who represent such notable artists as Sarah McLachlin, Barenaked Ladies and Brand New, has decided to help out the Greubel family, who are being sued by the RIAA for downloading music. The list of downloaded songs includes several by Nettwerk artists. They have agreed to pay the family's legal expenses, which is the main reason people tend to just settle these lawsuits rather than take them to court - it's actually cheaper.

This is a lot bigger than just one family's court case. Winning even one court case sets precedent, which is a big deal for all future cases. And, more importantly, this is a record label (who the RIAA claims to represent) and a whole collection of artists (who the RIAA says it's protecting from the evils piracy) saying "We don't agree with what you're doing. Stop suing our fans. Take off."

I agree, and with my next paycheque I plan to buy at least one Brand New album. I encourage you to look through the Nettwerk artists, find one you like, and do the same. If I download music more than I buy albums, it's because I think they're overpriced and the extra money ends up lining the pockets of middlemen like the labels, rather than the artists. But if I see that "wasted" money being put to good use like this, I'll pony up.