First off, this affects us. This proposed tax is voluntary for ISPs, not consumers. The ISPs are paying this money as protection to the RIAA, so they won't sue.

First off, this affects us. This proposed tax is voluntary for ISPs, not consumers. The ISPs are paying this money as protection to the RIAA, so they won't sue. This fee is then handed down to the ever growing list of fees to subscribers. This additional charge for bandwidth and the implications for music-based start-ups is very real and relevant. That being said, I too am tired of the RIAA. So, apparently, are their artists: http://consumerist.com/368663/riaa-pockets-filesharing-settlement-money-doesnt-pay-artists-whose-copyrights-were-infringed http://consumerist.com/368663/riaa-pockets-filesharing-settl...