Copying music to your computer may be illegal

[Mosbonian]

Who owns your music?

CNN's Sunny Hostin looks at the music industry's claims that downloading music to a computer could be breaking the law.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/sho...sic.chetry.cnn

Seems the Recording industry now wants to make sure that you don't even download a CD to your own computer regardless if you aren't planning to share it?

Not sure what to make of this......seems a little extreme if you ask me.

mmaddog
*******

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Good for you!

Trust me, I've detailed here and on the old Kansas City Star board how I had sat in meetings with record company and publishing execs, warning them about the future. I argued that people would crack any DRM, that viruses would be attached to mp3's (eventually, spyware) and so on and so forth. No one listened.

Now, while I don't feel any pity, whatsoever, for the music companies, I do feel it for people like Inpector's son. There are almost two full generations of people who feel that music should be FREE, because it's been illegally available for over a decade via the internet. The only people that are truly hurt in this scenario the Artists themselves.

Without the revenues from CD sales, most of these bands just go away after one album. And even though it's debatable due to musical taste, the reason why so much music "sucks" these days is because unlike the 60's and 70's where artists were allowed to "grow", today it's One And Done. So if the first record doesn't sell 500,000 copies, more than likely, you'll never hear from that band again.

It's a sad state of affairs. And I don't know the answer.

So basically, the arrogance of the music industry has them where they are now, and here they are scrambling trying to throw their muscle around to get people to fall into lock step with what they want. I don't feel sorry for them.

And you're right about the one and done thing. It's seemingly the goal of (some) of these artists these days.

[Inspector]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Good for you!

Trust me, I've detailed here and on the old Kansas City Star board how I had sat in meetings with record company and publishing execs, warning them about the future. I argued that people would crack any DRM, that viruses would be attached to mp3's (eventually, spyware) and so on and so forth. No one listened.

Now, while I don't feel any pity, whatsoever, for the music companies, I do feel it for people like Inpector's son. There are almost two full generations of people who feel that music should be FREE, because it's been illegally available for over a decade via the internet. The only people that are truly hurt in this scenario the Artists themselves.

Without the revenues from CD sales, most of these bands just go away after one album. And even though it's debatable due to musical taste, the reason why so much music "sucks" these days is because unlike the 60's and 70's where artists were allowed to "grow", today it's One And Done. So if the first record doesn't sell 500,000 copies, more than likely, you'll never hear from that band again.

It's a sad state of affairs. And I don't know the answer.

They are working with a guy named Mike Flynn with Epic records. Do you know him? Is he any good?

The way I understand this stuff, it all "sounds" good...but who knows....

I just hope he can make a living with this band.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by KC Kings

Really? What albums did you work on?


Want a copy of them?

I think I've got copies of everything that I really wanted that I was associated with during my time in the business.

Though I would like to have my cassette copy of Alanis Morrisette's "Jagged Little Pill" still, just so I have something that's of no value to me to destroy if I'm ever in a bad mood.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I don't need to read any thread to know that you're completely full of shit.

And I don't need a crystal ball to know you are in an industry that will not be around in 10-15 years...

Long live the artist. The record companies can eat sh*t and die a long overdue death.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by Bowser

So basically, the arrogance of the music industry has them where they are now, and here they are scrambling trying to throw their muscle around to get people to fall into lock step with what they want. I don't feel sorry for them.

And you're right about the one and done thing. It's seemingly the goal of (some) of these artists these days.

Yes, that is why the trend is to avoid signing with a label that will control you artistically and take your money but drop you like a hot potato if you are not a success off the bat.

The internet, not downloading music, killed the record companies. It made marketing of music available to ANYONE without signing your life or rights away to a record company.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Inspector

They are working with a guy named Mike Flynn with Epic records. Do you know him? Is he any good?

The way I understand this stuff, it all "sounds" good...but who knows....

I just hope he can make a living with this band.

Inspector,

I don't know Mike Flynn. I left that side of the 'Biz in 2003 and while I have many friends throughout the industry, the number of people still working in that business is dwindling. Sales, economics and mergers have really changed the business, in a negative way. The last company that I worked for was sold to Sony for $400 million and 52 GOOD people were left without jobs. It's a shame.

As for your son, truth be told, there are absolutely no guarantees he will sell even 10 records. With all the changes that have occurred at Sony in the past year (most notably, the hiring of Rick Rubin as President of Sony Music), there's a possibility that your son's record may never see the light of day.

In regards to film and television, who is the band's publisher? Who is the band's main songwriter? I noticed that you mentioned they expect money from film and television, but that's paid through publishing and only the composer of the song earns income. It's called Synchronization and the publisher takes 40% of the income derived from film and television placement. Again, that money is only paid to the composer, not the entire band (so more than likely, the drummer will never see a penny from a song that's placed in a film or television program).

As I've said before, good luck to your son.

[Brock]

LOL, they still make CDs?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

And I don't need a crystal ball to know you are in an industry that will not be around in 10-15 years...

Long live the artist. The record companies can eat sh*t and die a long overdue death.

Really? What's the proof of this ridiculous claim? Who's going to supply the finances for these new bands to record a CD's worth of songs that are actually listenable? Where are you going to find competent music producers and recording studios that are willing to work for free?

You SERIOUSLY don't know WTF you're talking about.

And by the way, Radiohead, after collecting somewhere between $4 & $6 million dollars for distributing limited bandwidth mp3 files are now releasing a what? CD for sale at $19.99 through what? A record label.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Yes, that is why the trend is to avoid signing with a label that will control you artistically and take your money but drop you like a hot potato if you are not a success off the bat.

Well according to you, a band doesn't need a label so who cares if they're dropped?

[Bob Dole]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Did they try to release a CD without a label?

Bob Dole bought it off iTunes. (And burned a copy to CD to play in the car.)

[KC Dan]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Bob Dole bought it off iTunes. (And burned a copy to CD to play in the car.)

LAWBREAKER!!! Don't look behind you! It's the RIAA!!! Run!

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by Brock

LOL, they still make CDs?

Yeah they put on a fantastic light show when you put them in a microwave.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by Inspector

They are working with a guy named Mike Flynn with Epic records. Do you know him? Is he any good?

The way I understand this stuff, it all "sounds" good...but who knows....

I just hope he can make a living with this band.

Please read this article by an independent producer who has some experience in the industry. Not all of them are shills for the RIAA like are friend Dino Dane.

http://www.negativland.com/albini.html

Here is a rather long essay offering a comprehensive look at the situation:

http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/is...ost/index.html

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Bob Dole bought it off iTunes. (And burned a copy to CD to play in the car.)

Street thug!

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Please read this article by an independent producer who has some experience in the industry. Not all of them are shills for the RIAA like are friend Dino Dane.

http://www.negativland.com/albini.html

Hey Denise,

Kick my fucking ass.

I NEVER worked for the RIAA, nor do I condone their practices. I worked in MUSIC PUBLISHING, which represents the songwriter and composer interests. Just because I KNOW FIRST HAND the accounting practices of the record labels doesn't mean that I'm a "shill".

As for Steve, I only have good things to say about him (and yes, I am well acquainted with him, his work and have corresponded with him on several occassions).

And FWIW, ANYONE who is offered a Deal Memo should immediately consult with a qualified music attorney.

Being stupid isn't an excuse.