For years the faceless monoliths of the recording industry have cried foul over illegal downloading by claiming that it hurts the artists. Now, the RIAA has committed the ultimate hypocrisy by asking the American Copyright Royalty Board to lower songwriter royalties on digital song downloads (such as Apple's iTunes).

From the article:

"Record companies are suffering a contraction of their business at a time when music publisher revenues and margins have increased markedly," the trade group wrote. "While record companies have been forced to drastically cut costs and employees, music publisher catalogs have increased in value due to steadily rising mechanical royalty rates and alternative revenue streams made possible, but not enjoyed, by record companies."

Translation: Boo-hoo waa-waa boo-hoo- waa-waa-WAAHH!