Pepsi iTunes ad to feature teens sued by RIAA

This is a very cool idea... I just wish this great deal was applicable to Canada!

Pepsi is certainly showing some balls. This seems like quite a smack in the face to the RIAA. What I don't understand is the RIAA reaction:

"RIAA is all in favor of the ad and the promotion. 'This ad shows how everything has changed,' says Mitch Bainwol, RIAA chairman. 'Legal downloading is great because fans are supporting the future of creative work in America.'"

WTF? Obviously they don't see the irony in the sued downloaders being able to download for free again Are they just trying to deflect the obvious attack against them suing people?

Or maybe this is an endorcement for iTMS. That could be huge. It would mean the RIAA finally acknowleges their failed business model and is now supporting legal music downloads? (In the past they have tried to kill off downloading entirely.)

Of course the RIAA likes the Pepsi deal; they're getting paid the usual amount, I'm certain of that.

The RIAA has had nothing but good things to say about the iTunes Music Store since the day it was announced.

They have never been entirely against downloading. It is just that prior to the iTunes Music Store, no one was providing a properly designed and organized pay service.

The RIAA is happy because they can still afford their new cars and houses in the greek isles and the people are happy because we believe the ad is thumbing its collective noses at the greedy stagniant music market.

yeah this is great...because they broke the law, 20 young people are getting paid to be the center of attention in a major Super Bowl ad in which they are given the opportunity to snub their noses at the RIAA...yeah that will teach them

I think it's more that the RIAA see's this as a way to promote legal downloading. For good or bad, the RIAA realizes it has a pretty negative image. By endorsing products and services, like Pepsi iTMS, they're expressing to consumers that there is a better way that won't get you suited :-)

I don't think the RIAA necessarily has a failed business model as much as they're a slow to catch up with the times. CD sales dominated all other formats for years, and the intial free file sharing bonanza during the late 90's scared them tremendously. They NEEDED a service like iTMS to show them that legally downloading music can be successful and even profitable. While not official, it certianly serves as an endorsement of the type of service and business the RIAA is now trying to promote.

Think if it kind of like an abstance organization coming out and saying, "Well, if you're going do it, wear protection, but we'd still prefer for you to abstain"... or buy a cd in this case.

they like the itunes downloading because its DRM infected music they are getting.

my problem with the RIAA is not that they're are for legal downloads, but that they put on this sh!t-eating grin and act like they have HELPED AT ALL in making this happen. new flash, jackholes, Apple did this DESPITE a big, vacant nothingness eminating from your camp, while you were busy trying to shut down kazaa, force isp's to divulge ip addresses and the like.

thanks, RIAA. thanks for a whole lot of NOTHING. i just wish none of the profits for these downloads went to their pockets.

The RIAA does NOT prefer CD sales over iTunes sales.

In some ways, the RIAA likes the iTunes sales BETTER than CD sales.