MP3Tunes vs EMI

MP3Tunes CEO Michael Robertson (who is bit of a personal hero) sent an email out today to all MP3Tunes users informing them of EMI's attempts to argue that storing Mp3 files online (at MP3Tunes) is illegal. MP3Tunes is a storage facility (and not any form of file-sharing in disguise):

Files are not MP3tunes' possessions any more than the contents of a safety deposit box are owned by the bank that houses them. The storage provided by MP3tunes is the user's own space. A Locker is empty when someone opens an account and that customer decides what files are placed into their Locker. All files are stored at the request of the user. People who choose to utilize remote storage should be guaranteed the same level of privacy they have for the files stored on their local hard disk.

As you may be aware, the major record label EMI has sued MP3tunes, claiming our service is illegal . . . Much is at stake — if you don't have the right to store your own music online then you won't have the right to store ebooks, videos and other digital products as well. The notion of ownership in the 21st century will evaporate. The idea of ownership is important to me and I want to make sure I have that right and my kids do too.