Sample Letter to the Media

The media – print, broadcast and digital – often determine how new trends are seen. So far, they have not cast a friendly light on the peer-to-peer file-sharing revolution. But you can help. Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Send one to your town’s TV and radio stations. Post a message on an online newsgroup. Tell people how you feel. You can start with the model below and edit it as you see it.

Dear [Insert Name Here],

I’m writing in support of the peer-to-peer online file-sharing revolution.

I want to see recording artists and other copyright holders get fair payment for their work. But I also want to continue using peer-to-peer file-sharing. Peer-to-peer isn’t controlled and manipulated by big companies. We’re not told what to buy. It’s a marketplace of the people, by the people and for the people. It’s more democratic than going to a store – either a physical store or an online store.

This hasn’t been covered much in the media, but today there are hundreds of recording artists who have registered their work on Kazaa and get paid when their files are shared peer-to-peer. The copyright holder specifies a price and, optionally, a free trial period. Every time the file changes hands, the user must pay the price – either immediately or after the trial period – or the file won’t work.

By using available peer to peer technologies, record companies could get a fair return on their music, but so far they’re taking people to court rather than the bargaining table. They think they can go on forever controlling the market, but those days are over. The revolution won’t be stopped.

The peer-to-peer file-sharing revolution levels the playing field by reducing the costs to get music to people who want to listen to it and buy it. It’s here to stay.

Sincerely,