In an evident attempt to counter the efforts by a broad coalition of tech companies and public interest organizations (PDF), Downhill Battle, Public Knowledge, and many, many others to the stop the fast-moving Induce Act in its tracks, the National Arts and Recording Academy -- e.g., the group behind The Grammys -- has created its own pro-Induce action alert:

The U.S. Senate is considering the "Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act of 2004." In the words of its chief Senate sponsor, the bill would allow legal action against "corporations that profit by encouraging children, teenagers and others to commit illegal or criminal acts of copyright infringement." The Act is supported by the Recording Academy and more than twenty other music industry organizations, and has been cosponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators.

For some time now, the only legal recourse to address illegal file sharing has been for the industry to sue individual computer users. This bill provides a good alternative; it puts responsibility in the hands of companies that profit by encouraging illegal use of your intellectual property.

We need your help. Please ask your Senators to support the "Induce Act." This system will send an email to your Senators. If you are a Recording Academy member, a printed copy of your email will also be hand delivered by the Academy's Washington, D.C. office.

It only takes a minute to have your voice heard. To begin, simply type your zip code in the box above. Thanks for your support of artists' rights.