Well, if the artist is paid by the single sold or the album sold or even % of profits; then anything that decreases the sale of the album/single is a bad thing.
If the argument on sharing files is that then people can figure out what they want to buy, there are places (e.g. Borders, Tower, etc.) that will let you sample songs (either a few songs from the album or preferably a bit from each song on the album). That way you can make an informed choice on what to buy.
Copywrite ownership is interesting. If the artist sells the copywrite, that is their right. If the artist sells a license, that is their right. It is up to the artist to read the contract carefully and decide what to do.
Where the industry ticks me off is that if a 'known entity' has covered a lot of period pieces, it is assumed that all arrangements of those pieces are based on that groups work. For example, "Sellinger's Round" has been recorded by a few groups, if Cat&Fiddle were to record it, you would have to get permission to do so since your arrangement is obviously taken from [group name]. For some of the more common tunes; that is a risky assessment (though it could be 3rd or 23rd hand); for some of the rare ones ... it is also risky (what are the chances of Cat&Fiddle having heard a rendition of [obscure song]?
Just because Bear Necessities or Baltimore Consort specialize in a certain kind of music doesn't mean that they own all arrangements (and interpretations) of it. Not that they don't have good reason to believe that there is a lot of copying or 'inspiration' going around. Where do you draw the line on that (especially w/regard to older pieces).
Is the Bobs version of "Light My Fire" a backwards copy of PDQ Bach? Yes, I am sure they are paying rights for "Light My Fire" as a cover, but do they have to pay twice? If I were to get an electric guitar and do an acid rock version of "Simple Gifts" or "Messiah"; should I be paying rights to anyone?
There are many reasons to be annoyed with the record labels and RIAA et al., but I don't think this is one of them. If someone were to copy all of HP5 into the computer and offer it up for sharing, would that be OK? What is the difference?
no subject
If the argument on sharing files is that then people can figure out what they want to buy, there are places (e.g. Borders, Tower, etc.) that will let you sample songs (either a few songs from the album or preferably a bit from each song on the album). That way you can make an informed choice on what to buy.
Copywrite ownership is interesting. If the artist sells the copywrite, that is their right. If the artist sells a license, that is their right. It is up to the artist to read the contract carefully and decide what to do.
Where the industry ticks me off is that if a 'known entity' has covered a lot of period pieces, it is assumed that all arrangements of those pieces are based on that groups work. For example, "Sellinger's Round" has been recorded by a few groups, if Cat&Fiddle were to record it, you would have to get permission to do so since your arrangement is obviously taken from [group name]. For some of the more common tunes; that is a risky assessment (though it could be 3rd or 23rd hand); for some of the rare ones ... it is also risky (what are the chances of Cat&Fiddle having heard a rendition of [obscure song]?
Just because Bear Necessities or Baltimore Consort specialize in a certain kind of music doesn't mean that they own all arrangements (and interpretations) of it. Not that they don't have good reason to believe that there is a lot of copying or 'inspiration' going around. Where do you draw the line on that (especially w/regard to older pieces).
Is the Bobs version of "Light My Fire" a backwards copy of PDQ Bach? Yes, I am sure they are paying rights for "Light My Fire" as a cover, but do they have to pay twice? If I were to get an electric guitar and do an acid rock version of "Simple Gifts" or "Messiah"; should I be paying rights to anyone?
There are many reasons to be annoyed with the record labels and RIAA et al., but I don't think this is one of them. If someone were to copy all of HP5 into the computer and offer it up for sharing, would that be OK? What is the difference?