Recording Industry vs. The People, Blogger Ray Beckerman an InterviewRecording Industry vs. The People

Tell me about your Blog?

It’s called “Recording Industry vs. The People”. The URL is http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com. It’s a very popular copyright law blog, although Wikio classifies it as a music blog.

What was your first blog?

My first blog was called “Fairness”, but I renamed it “Ohio Election Fraud (formerly “Fairness”) after the massive fraud and disenfranchisement which took place in Ohio in 2004 in the presidential election.

What is the biggest tip you would give to a newbie blogger?

Write about what you are passionate about.

What do advertisers do that you wish they wouldn’t?

I don’t have any problems with the advertisers.

What do bloggers do that you wish they wouldn’t?

I like blogs which give you a lot of information in few words. I don’t like a lot of cute writing and padding.

Where do you see growth in the blogging field?

All over the place.

What new ideas are advertisers coming up with to take advantage of new trends?

I’m not too familiar with new ideas in advertising. I think the big thing will be affiliate advertising.

What do you do to improve the world?

I try to bring to people’s attention important social issues, and I try to use my blog as an organizing tool. I believe the web is a fabulous place for grassroots organizing.

What do you do that is green?

I greatly reduce the amount of paper which law practices used to consume, by keeping digital copies whenever possible, and making as few paper copies as possible.

What is one thing about you that not many people know?

Most of my readers aren’t aware that I am a veteran litigation lawyer, who was involved in major cases long before the RIAA became a household word.

What’s your favorite book?

Moby Dick

What is on your iPod?

It’s a Sansa, not an iPod (I always go with the underdog). It has mostly blues, some Bob Marley, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt. Things you might expect from a 60’s guy.

What are your contact details (email, company, blog, facebook, myspace, forums, etc)?

Well on Slashdot I’m known as “NewYorkCountryLawyer”. Most other places, such as Twitter, Facebook, etc., I go by “RayBeckerman”. Lately I’m most active on Twitter. My brick and mortar location is my law office in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, 108-18 Queens Blvd, 4 Fl, Forest Hills NY 11375. My email is [email protected], and my law firm web site is http://beckermanlegal.com

What events do you go to?

I’ve been working way too much, and don’t get out much. When I can I like to see an off-off-broadway play, or see an indie film. Professionally I sometimes do speaking engagements, usually talking about the RIAA cases.

How do you prefer to communicate?

Email and @’s at Twitter.

Who would you recommend, and why?

Well I know you want me to narrow it down, but I get so much from so many people on Twitter, it’s hard to narrow it down; certainly some of the people I would recommend getting to know are @BuzzEdition, @MariKurisato, @Qorianka, @TheEcoist, @loriguffey, @ldellapiana, @FilmTruth, @billybragg, @Satyagraha_ji, @absolutelytrue, @indigenous_news, @hyperlocavore, @yogitechchick, @calvarezHIS, @loriguffey, @Si_Jose, @WalterOlson, @Fritinancy, @EileenLeft, @dhowell, @Robert_Banghart, @cpedrava, @artistshouse, @artfanatic411, and @ LuciaOrth. But after you start following those fine folks, you can come back and I’ll give you some more wonderful people to follow.

What is one thing people can do for you?

Well what would help me the most, because I spend so much time not making any money, would be for people – when they’re thinking of buying something on the internet – to visit my blog, and use the banner ads or classified ads there to make their purchases; that would put some money in my pocket, and help me to continue doing the nonremunerative things I do.