AMI settles piracy case
RIAA to receive $2.5 mil in damages
An RIAA investigation found a significant number of CD and cassette orders that had been accepted by AMI for mastering or pressing which would have infringed on existing copyrights.
"AMI responded swiftly and responsibly to this RIAA investigation," said Hilary Rosen, prexy/CEO of the RIAA . "They recognized CD piracy is a serious problem for both the recording and the replication industries."
In addition to the monetary settlement, which will be used to protect artist and record company rights through ongoing RIAA anti-piracy activities, AMI's management team has agreed to adopt all of the RIAA's "Anti-Piracy Good Business Practices."
The RIAA procedures are voluntary guidelines designed to help CD plants detect and deter piracy, in part by making sure they know their customers.
As part of the settlement, AMI has committed to a number of anti-piracy initiatives and piracy prevention and monitoring measures, including use of Source Identification Codes (a voluntary identification program that enhances the security of CD manufacturing at both mastering and replication stages). AMI has also agreed to intellectual property audits and unannounced on-site plant inspections by RIAA investigators.
AMI will also work with the RIAA and MTV in support of MTV's anti-violence campaign, "Fight for Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Violence." AMI will manufacture, free of charge, 500,000 enhanced CDs featuring anti-violence recordings and comments from artists.
