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Kabul, Afghanistan - The Recording Industry Association of Afghanistan
(RIAA) has begun a major crackdown on pirated music since the Taliban
fell from power 2 days ago, and launched their own bid for control
in the war torn city. Many cheered the fall of the Taliban, but the
RIAA feels that if music can be listened to that copyrights will
be violated.
 Soon
after the Taliban fled Kabul, black market Qamar Gul and Ahmad Zahir
CDs were being openly peddled on street corners. Rumors of Abdullah
Muqri MP3s circulating on the Kabul computer were widespread.
"It was much easier to control music piracy when the Taliban
was in control. Now we fear that with their new found freedom the
people of Kabul and in the rest of Afghanistan will turn to copyright
violation to satisfy their musical needs," said RIAA President
Ghulam Hotak. "An RIAA lead country will be able to enjoy the
joys of music, but only if artist are properly compensated."
Opposition groups denounce the RIAA power grab. "We will fight
to the last man to keep the RIAA from power in Afghanistan," said
General Mahommed Dawood of the Northern Alliance. "We did not
unseat the Taliban only to have them replaced by a more oppressive
regime."
The Recording Industry Association of America has pledged support
to the RIAA by offering troops from its elite piracy fighting Freedom
Squad. "We can not sit idly by and watch the people of Afghanistan
violate copyrights. Our brothers in the RIAA need our support," said
Hilary Rosen.
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