Recently, the tech blog, TechCrunch, did a story titled, "Did Last.fm Just Hand Over User Listening Data To the RIAA?" (see http://is.gd/ki7M )
The story is mildly interesting... It appears to be mainly a reporting of some gossip - which may or may not have any truth behind it. And it leads one to wonder who would be stupid enough to download music illegally, then freely post that fact back to the internet via crazy spyware-like programs like Scrobbler (which is totally voluntary... i.e. self-inflicted spyware, if you will).
But the real juicy stuff... The meat of this item... comes in the Comments section... posted below the item...
It is the most interesting, enlightened, discussion I've ever seen of the issues of:
- "record labels" ~versus~ "file sharing"
- "IP (intellectual property rights)" ~versus~ "freedom of information in the age of the internet"
- "old copyright law" ~versus~ "piracy"
I think it can best all be summarized by two comments.... One, by a person called, "LW". And, the second, my reply to that one....
Here they are:______
LW - February 20th, 2009 at 7:04 pm PST
I think we do need a culture shift.
There are whole hierarchies of people who sit between the music makers and the listeners who are most likely not needed in the digital era. From what I've read, bands and artists make the majority of their money from radio royalties and from gigging. In terms of downloads and CD sales, they receive a far slimmer slice of the profits; and in some cases, they receive even _less_ from downloads. The industries standard response doesn't wash, quite frankly.
I'm not trying to legitimise piracy - but maybe I am trying to rationalise it.
In my view, sometimes legislation can't be used to turn a tide. I think that there are a lot of lessons that can be learnt from the open-source movement. While open-source software products (IP) are distributed for free, the creation of these products, creates an ecosystem where services can be sold.
As far as I can see, creating this kind of service-based economy is the logical step in terms of trying to 'monetise' any type of IP.
I think the main problem with this idea, is that large corporations would have a difficult time maintaining control. Which isn't necessarily bad for society in my opinion.
I'll definitely read about Lessig and Creative Commons, thanks for the tip.
______
And, my reply....______
Re: Comment posted by "LW", Feb 20, 7:04pm PST
I've read every single comment here.
YOU dear sir/madam have hit the nail on the head…
You've brilliantly summed up the entire "record labels versus piracy", "IP versus the digital age", etc…. issues… Or as I call it, simply, "The end of the age of copyright."
I suggest everyone here go and read that particular post by LW again. And again. Read it slowly and thoughtfully three times. Now, print it, save it, and learn from it.
He/she has expressed what I've been saying for years...
It is a new ecosystem that is being created - like it or not - by whatever means. Go with it happily. Embrace it. Or be dragged into it kicking and screaming like a child throwing a tantrum.
But enter into a new age, you will.
It's a new ecosystem where value is placed on the ARTIST, by the CONSUMER…. and the do-nothing money grabbers in the middle - who "make nothing but money" - are banished from the playground.
Their days of exploiting artists.... paying them pennies per record sale.... while at the same time extorting $25 for a CD that cost them 8 cents to reproduce... ARE OVER.
And the entire world sighs a sigh of relief... as they sing, Good riddance.
Where the financially successful artist freely gives away all his/her works in electronically reproduceable and shareable forms (like,
Nine in Nails, one of the first major artists to "get it", and make millions$ as a result!), and then… The artist's works are spread all over the planet within seconds…. like a nightmare virus…. (but in a good way! :)
The artist makes his/her BIG money, where they've ALWAYS made their big money… all along.... the one thing that CANNOT be duplicated… Their real LIVE, in-the-flesh, concerts, appearances, speaking engagements, commissioned works, etc., etc… And radio royalties too...
HOWEVER, with their newfound fame and popularity (remember their best works were/are being freely distributed to 183 countries around the globe....????).... They are now ABLE TO CHARGE TOP DOLLAR for their public appearance, concerts, etc.
No more extortion/exploitation of artists by record labels.... and.... No more extortion of the public by record labels.
THE ARTIST MAKES LOADS MORE money... than he/she would have before.... (assuming their work is popular, naturally). And the consumer pays a lot less too! Only paying for the concerts, not the CDs...
But there's MORE... Brand new unknown artists have an exactly EQUAL and DEMOCRATIC platform to promote thier works on..... as the biggest names in the business! How wonderful is that!?!? For them, AND for us all.... to enjoy better quality.... worldwide!
The only people on the planet served by the RIAA...... and the record labels.... is the RIAA... and the record labels.
The ARTISTS and the PUBLIC are served by a free, fair, and thoroughly file-sharing internet.... Thank you, God!
The artists who undertand these concepts... and adapt fastest.... i.e. GIVE AWAY all their music freely on
http://Mininova.com etc... Will be the most financially sucessful of them all... (again, assuming that people enjoy their work, of course. ;)
Just like Ubuntu, the new far superior computer operating system is quickly replacing Windows on PCs worldwide… as is FOSS (free open source software)… The company heavily backing it, Canonical, will make a fortune…. How!? By selling its consulting and training services to corporations who need it. After all, "Who knows Ubuntu better than the folks who created it?" …or so the logic goes.
Record labels have extorted money out of the masses while exploiting the artists. That's was ok…. Then.
But now…. They're day has come.
It's a glorious new day for artists and content creators worldwide! And an even better new day for us… the public who so appreciates, enjoys, and freely loves to support and reward them… at their live concerts.
______
Your thoughts?
Reply in the comments below.
Bruce Wagner
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