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Re: [ARSCLIST] Copyright Extension Rejected In UK



Even if an artist lives to see his copyrights expire, there will still be a market for his/her "authorized" releases. They can even have "value added" features that the competition wouldn't have, like a signed certificate of authenticity and/or picture of the artist and/or personalized thank you from the artist. Hell, if your 80-90 years old, and still able to think/write/dress yourself, that would be a good way to spend your day. Get up, sign a form letter with a serial number with the buyer's name. I think most musicians wouldn't have to worry about copyrights that much if they were willing to take control of their own destiny. Too many sign papers and wait for money to come in like it was manna from heaven. Yes, it's part of what makes a musician who they are to disregard more mundane things like bills and retirement, but that doesn't excuse the irresponsibility (I'm not accusing all musicians of being irresponsible). They should exercise stewardship over what they have. Recently, Speakers Corner reissued a Mercury box set of Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello with Starker. First of all, the quality of the product was actually better than the original pressing. That's rare. Then, Mr. Starker wrote some comments and an appreciation for Bob Fine. Also, he signed the first 1,000 copies. I may be wrong, but I don't see Janos Starker bitching and moaning while he wrote the comments and/or signed those limited number of pressings. On the contrary, if I know my classical musicians, I bet he was happy as a lark to do it.
Phillip


Dismuke wrote:

My guess is that Prince and other acts who follow in his steps and give their recordings away to their fans for free will also no longer be considered to be "musicians and artists" by the Big Four cartel and its various front organizations in different countries such as the RIAA here in the USA.

C) I don't really have a problem with sound recording
copyrights expiring after 70 years instead of 50. The
fact that some of the artists have lived to see the
copyrights of their recordings expire is, I think, a
valid concern. But I regard this as good news on two
counts: 1) I am not sure whether the proposed changes
would have been applied retroactively and cover stuff
that is currently in the public domain. Considering
that a great deal of stuff has been effectively
ABANDONED by the labels who no longer keep it in
print, taking the stuff back out of the public domain
will effectively keep it locked up. 2) Considering
the stunts they have been pulling here in the USA
through their SoundExchange puppet organization with
regard to Internet radio, I tend to welcome news that
is bad for the Big Four labels. So, if for no other
reason, this news makes me happy.




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