About selling recorded music
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 6:31 am
Think about it: most of us go to work. Do we get to record our work, and then sell it over and over and over again?
I am against the concept that musicians can claim as a right to make money longer term from recorded work.
Now, don't read me wrong:
1. I am not in favor or record resellers making such money either, especially on the back of artists who don't get royalties.
2. Musicians that create great work should get rewarded, even get financially rich, why not. What I question is the means to get there, and how pretentious some of the claims we've been exposed to sound.
The model I think would be more appropriate is the following:
1. Artists to record great music (unchanged)
2. Records can be sold for a period of 3-5 years by copyright owner only. Anyone downloading illegally would face important enough consequences no to want to do so
3. Past 3-5 years, music falls in public domain
This would encourage artists to record better music, more frequently, and TOUR to earn money longer term. This is of course particularly pertinent for the Madonnas of this world. Internet has already created this positive spirare to some extent.
Also, this would prevent the pathetic cases we've been exposed to lately: I mean Burning Spear and Bunny Wailer so upset about not getting "millions" from past RECORDINGS. Let these guys attack Island records, sure if these companies indeed profit from something they shouldn't.
But then, Bunny and Winstion, think about how privileged you are to have records from way back then promote you TODAY, when - frankly - its been a while we haven't heard from you anything close - artistically and muscically speaking - to "Marcus Garvey" or "Blackheart Man". Not saying to ga back to old days, but what about simply great reggae from 21st century. Listen to underrated Prince Lincoln's last recording for reference.
I'm certain many workers from other fields wish that their work had been recorded in their 20's, to claim back the rights to money today. Thinking of that african postman who's delivered mail to thousand families in his youth, and who has AIDS today. Or that rastaman who welcomed tourists in Negril back in 1979 with a smile, and now has no legs. He didn't RECORD his work back then.
Bunny and Winston: you've been privileged enough to have RECORDED music with great MUSICIANS that was EXPOSED to millions thanks to visionary PRODUCERS that took the risk to INVEST in you. TODAY, thanks to that, you may tour any city, and get an AUDIENCE sufficient to pay your bills and beyond.
I suggest you create some new, great and creative music (not generic reggae that is) and stop looking back with GREED.
As far as the ones who're manufacturing/selling/manufacturing your records today illegally, collect the proofs, and attack them via the judiciary system. If you win, give the money back to young artists that are trying to make it, or to the "themes" you are/were singing back way back then. Most of all think how lucky you are to have RECORDED work, whereas the majority on the planet can't claim to past work recordings to collect money today.
I am against the concept that musicians can claim as a right to make money longer term from recorded work.
Now, don't read me wrong:
1. I am not in favor or record resellers making such money either, especially on the back of artists who don't get royalties.
2. Musicians that create great work should get rewarded, even get financially rich, why not. What I question is the means to get there, and how pretentious some of the claims we've been exposed to sound.
The model I think would be more appropriate is the following:
1. Artists to record great music (unchanged)
2. Records can be sold for a period of 3-5 years by copyright owner only. Anyone downloading illegally would face important enough consequences no to want to do so
3. Past 3-5 years, music falls in public domain
This would encourage artists to record better music, more frequently, and TOUR to earn money longer term. This is of course particularly pertinent for the Madonnas of this world. Internet has already created this positive spirare to some extent.
Also, this would prevent the pathetic cases we've been exposed to lately: I mean Burning Spear and Bunny Wailer so upset about not getting "millions" from past RECORDINGS. Let these guys attack Island records, sure if these companies indeed profit from something they shouldn't.
But then, Bunny and Winstion, think about how privileged you are to have records from way back then promote you TODAY, when - frankly - its been a while we haven't heard from you anything close - artistically and muscically speaking - to "Marcus Garvey" or "Blackheart Man". Not saying to ga back to old days, but what about simply great reggae from 21st century. Listen to underrated Prince Lincoln's last recording for reference.
I'm certain many workers from other fields wish that their work had been recorded in their 20's, to claim back the rights to money today. Thinking of that african postman who's delivered mail to thousand families in his youth, and who has AIDS today. Or that rastaman who welcomed tourists in Negril back in 1979 with a smile, and now has no legs. He didn't RECORD his work back then.
Bunny and Winston: you've been privileged enough to have RECORDED music with great MUSICIANS that was EXPOSED to millions thanks to visionary PRODUCERS that took the risk to INVEST in you. TODAY, thanks to that, you may tour any city, and get an AUDIENCE sufficient to pay your bills and beyond.
I suggest you create some new, great and creative music (not generic reggae that is) and stop looking back with GREED.
As far as the ones who're manufacturing/selling/manufacturing your records today illegally, collect the proofs, and attack them via the judiciary system. If you win, give the money back to young artists that are trying to make it, or to the "themes" you are/were singing back way back then. Most of all think how lucky you are to have RECORDED work, whereas the majority on the planet can't claim to past work recordings to collect money today.