RIAA’s Bainwol In Auto Talks

According to various reports including CNET, Billboard, All Access and others, Recording Industry of America (RIAA) CEO/Chairman Mitch Bainwol may soon be “driving” away to a new job as head of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. The auto-industry trade organization represents companies such as BMW, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.

Reportedly, Bainwol has not actually accepted the new position, but talks have progressed sufficiently for him to inform the RIAA Board of Directors he might soon be departing.

Under Bainwol’s watch, the RIAA has enjoyed high profile success in battling music piracy including a recent finding against file sharing site Limewire and a deal with ISPs to more aggressively discourage subscribers from pirating movies and music.

Obviously it is premature to know who might replace Bainwol should he depart, but insiders are already pointing to current RIAA President Cary Sherman.