Record labels spin out of control

Legal merits aside, the public has become accustomed to the record labels going after peer-to-peer services and even individuals. But now it's shooting itself in the foot thanks to some overzealous attorneys.

A couple of weeks ago, the RIAA was both ridiculed and reviled over its continued action involving a deceased defendant. Now, the New York Times is reporting that the industry group is targeting sites used by musicians to teach each other how to play songs.

Even if the courts support the record labels' position, the industry may never fully recover from the ill will engendered by these types of action. At a time when the entertainment business needs to remake itself, it's not a great idea to alienate consumers any more than absolutely necessary.