[BagpiperDon]

So a fellow on FB -- whom I believe friended me by way of this forum -- informed me this evening that my Celtic-fusion band's music was available for sale via iLike.com. I found this rather interesting seeing as I have not posted Nae Regrets' music for sale online anywhere but with SNOCAP...

I'm not sure... when someone has posted your music online does that mean you've arrived or that you're now much like many other recorded musicians out there? Imitation is supposed to be a form of compliment, and technically it helps to promote my band ... but it doesn't help me get the money for new bagpipes.

Suffice to say, I'm feeling ripped-off in a new & different way. Does any one have Lars's phone number?

I've sent a simple 'cease/desist' email to the website. Here's the funny thing -- aside from the fact that the poster had the honesty or accuracy to label my music with my (band's) name -- if I haven't heard anything by Friday ... as it happens ... I can take a 45min bus-ride into downtown Seattle and go into the office of the business that owns the site.

[Rex_Tremende]

Firstly, I understand the sense of violation that you're feeling. I'm sorry that happened to you. Now who is Lars? There's not a profile here by that name. That wouldn't stop someone from skimming this site for links, though.

One of my clients at the office is our Information Security team - the people who investigate and build protections against threats to the integrity and safety of our data and systems. I work closely with the communications manager, who told me the other day that FB is not at all secure and because of what she knows, she would never create a profile there. She said that if you do have one, you should never accept a "friend" from anyone that you don't know personally. Besides gleaning personally identifiable information, FB can be a gateway to viruses and other malwear.

For individuals and groups who are using Facebook as a form of advertising, I suppose that presents a kind of dilemma. I'm not sure how you protect yourself against that sort of thing, except to limit the amount and value of stuff you post there that people can do evil with.

Keep us posted on how it turns out?

Regards,
Rex.

[BagpiperDon]

Lars is the drummer of Metallica who raised a big stink when a tune they were working on for one of the Mission Impossible tunes was swiped and uploaded to the net before they released it. He's the one who lead the charge for the band in the situation and as I recall helped to head up the charge against Napster. Lars is also known for being the spokesman for what-ever is on his mind at the moment -- for example, if the band is holding a news release, the rest of the guys can't get a word in edge-wise around Lars.

As for how someone swiped my music, whoever this person is, they bought a disc, ripped it, made an account at iLike.com and uploaded music that isn't theirs .... and in doing this, if there are any sales of music downloads or ring tones, they make the money on my music and I don't.

[BagpiperDon]

I received the following message earlier today -- PHEW!
Well, that saves me about 2hrs on the bus and a downtown office visit to kindly say 'cease & desist'.

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