Since the digital revolution in the music industry many artists
have suffered from the loss of revenue due to illegal file sharing and the new
way music is being distributed online. I have researched three articles from
the New York Times Media Decoder in which states the many different industry
liabilities affecting recording artist at this time. As a recording artist it
is important to understand what is at stake in the music industry and being
aware of how to go about to resolve the issues that take place on a daily bases
in the music industry.
On October 30th 2012 author Ben Sisario discussed
Eminem’s on going battle about digital royalties in a lawsuit that has been
finally settled. The case was entitled F.B.T. Productions v. Aftermath Records.
F.B.T was a group of early producers who sued a subsidiary of Universal Music
Group because they felt that they were not getting the royalties that was owed
to them from iTunes and many other digital stores. This particular event opened
the door for many other prominent artists to sit down at the negotiation table
and discuss their cut from digital sales that was not received. I personally
agree with this situation of artists needing to get paid. Just because digital
is a new avenue of revenue doesn’t mean that they should not get compensated
for their work that is being distributed in the digital format.
The next article from New York Times author Ben Sisario
discusses recording artist Chuck D. suing Universal Music over Digital
Royalties. Chuck D. is a member of the group Public Enemy. He is one of the
latest major recording artists to sue Universal Music Group for digital music
royalties. Carlton Ridenhour (Chuck D) stated in an argument that UMG has
miscalculated royalties for MP3’s and ringtones. The other big issues was that
UMG had incorrectly accounted for downloads as sales stated in the New York
Times article. My opinion on this issue
is that at the end of the day recording artist need to be compensated on all
aspects of the revenue stream when it comes to music royalty payments.
This is an on going battle that must be fought to the death
so that recording artist can continue to be compensated for there work for
years to come. This example is a powerful testament to work that has been done
over 20 years ago for recording artist not getting compensated for work being
distributed in a new revenue stream.
The last article I would like to discuss is also from New
York Times author Ben Sisario Digital Notes: Music Stars Criticize Pandora on
Digital Royalties. This article discusses legal issues pertaining to Internet
radio royalties being distributed amongst recording artists. On November 14th
2012 an open letter signed by over 100 recording artists including Cee Lo Green
and Sheryl Crow discussing fair compensation of royalty rates for services like
Pandora and the passing of the Internet Radio Fairness Act. The IRFA will
enable more jobs in the music industry along with more streams of revenue for
recording artist and bands. The letter
was publicized by the MusicFirst Coalition, which represents major unions and
musicians in the music industry. My opinion on this situation is that this will
most likely help both sides of the recording industry consumer and artist. It
is important to understand that with new ways of making money artist need to be
compensated. This was a very good route for recording artist to take to come
together to champion for a very important issue right now in the recording
industry. This is a good example for up and coming recording artist to take
note that the buck doesn’t stop where the record labels allow. Fight Fight
Fight!
Articles:
The New York Times
October 30th 2012 Lawsuit Seeking Greater Digital
Royalties for Eminem’s Music Is Settled http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/lawsuit-seeking-greater-digital-royalties-for-eminems-music-is-settled/
November 3rd 2012
Chuck D. Sues Universal Music Over Digital Royalties http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/chuck-d-sues-universal-music-over-digital-royalties/
November 14th 2012 Digital Notes: Music Stars
Criticize Pandora on Digital Royalties
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