On Fri, 5 Jul 2002 18:02:26 -0400 Bill Davidson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> On Fri, 5 Jul 2002 15:13:55 -0400 > Todd Slater <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > On Fri, Jul 05, 2002 at 11:34:10AM -0700, Sevatio wrote: > > > Check out this story: > > > http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=internetnews&StoryID=1168474 > > > > While I'm all for sharing and sticking it to the RIAA, MPAA, and "the > > man," I tend to side with the artist on this issue. It would be nice > > to see a distribution system in which the artist could reap the > > benefits of his/her labor more than the record label. > > > > It's great to share as in free software, but you are projecting your > > ideas about sharing onto others. How do you make your living? Shall we > > all of a sudden decide that your labor should be shared for free, > > without any input from you? People who develop free software do so > > willingly. I don't think it's fair to project that onto others so you > > don't have to spend $15 on a crummy CD. > > > > Lately I'm having a hard time finding music I want to purchase anyway. > > That's the fault of the record labels and FM radio. Blah!! > > > > I know this will be an unpopular position on this list, so let me > > practice moving side to side and ducking . . . > > I couldn't disagree with you more on this one. These artists aren't > getting shafted because people steal music online. They're getting > shafted because record companies don't pay them squat compared to what > they make the record companies. Let's face it. They're getting their > money anyway because they're paid up front, and nothing beyond that. > > In fact this is actually helping the lesser known bands. Some of them > are quite happy about the whole music sharing thing. They make their > money doing concerts, not by selling records. This just gives them more > exposure, enabling them to sell more tickets. Eventually, I think we'll > see the end of record companies. Bands will all give their music away > online so that people will go and see them live. > > Bill Umm, I think you agree with me more than you disagree with me. I said I side with the artist and against the record labels, RIAA, MPAA. I agree that the artists get the shaft because of the record labels, but they also get the shaft because people steal music online. Why does the fact that they get shafted from the label, or that they get paid "enough" (according to you) make it "OK" to steal their music online? I nearly always side with labor, and in the case of music, I think the artists should get all they're entitled to. I don't care how much it is, or if it seems ridiculous to you. I don't have a problem with professional athletes making millions of dollars as long as the industry can support them through ticket sales and merchandising. After all, the athletes are who the fans pay to see. I'd rather the athletes get the money instead of the owner and team shareholders. (I don't believe I've ever seen the owner of a professional team who did not earn a handsome income, either.) As far as up-and-coming bands are concerned, if they want to share their music, that's great. My two brothers have a band and they released a CD, and I posted it on alt.binaries.mp3.blues (with their permission, of course). I understand that sharing can create exposure. However, these bands _voluntarily_ share their music. When somebody takes a commercial cd, rips it and shares it via Internet, the artist/band is not consulted as to whether they would like to share their music to get more fans at their concert; the ripper has made that decision for them. I still think it's appropriate to ask how you would feel if society at large decided that the fruits of your labor should be shared without your consent, or that X amount of dollars is enough for you. I'm not sure that bands want to make their living playing live concerts--that's a hard life with a quick burnout. But if they do, that's their choice. Let them give their music away. But if I want to sell a CD that I write and perform, I sure as hell don't want anybody else deciding for me. If the content is not worth paying for in a consumer's mind, it's not worth owning and listening to. I would love to see the end of record companies, and see the artists have total control over their music and its distribution. Todd -- Todd Slater Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by education. (Bertrand Russell)
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