For some time now, if you have been watching the news, reading online articles, or keeping somewhat up to date with the music industry, you know that there has been a lot of attention focused on the RIAA and the government’s efforts to enforce laws on pirated and illegally transferred music. All this attention finally came to a head when a single mother of two from Duluth, Minnesota was put on trial for the illegal downloading of a handful of songs. A verdict was handed down, and she must pay $9,250 per illegal song downloaded, totaling $222,000.00!
When I first heard this news, I was thinking the same thing everyone else was thinking– “bulls–t”! Because that’s what this is! I could understand a much softer penalty, such as community service or a miniscule fine and a verbal slap on the wrist, but I am not alone when I say that this was too harsh a penalty! Many big names in the music industry are responding to the government and RIAA’s actions by embracing change in this new age of ‘pirated music’.
As a long time fan of Nine Inch Nails, each new album release held me in anticipation as I try to find release dates, concert and tour information, and purchase availability. The band has released album after album, single after single, and EP after EP traditionally under their record labels. But their last album release was done a little differently.
I stumbled upon an announcement that Lead singer Trent Reznor released on their website. It said that “The Slip” (a new album by Nine Inch Nails) was going to be offered for free. Needless to say I was elated, not only did I not have to get in my car and go out of my way to purchase it, I could download it at my leisure…. for free!
I jumped right on this opportunity. It was part of Trent Reznor’s new project. He had broken away from current industry record deals to produce his own music. Like many other artists, he was tired of the contracts; being controlled and told what to do and when to do it. He gave us, the fans, the option to purchase related material for this new album “The Slip”, including limited edition CD’s, DVD’s, and vinyl records. He was pleasantly surprised by the outcome and has continually offered up free music on his website. Here’s a snippet from an interview between Trent and the Stereo Warning Blog that talks about the success of “The Slip”. (interview)
Similarly, another one of my favorite bands, Radiohead, released their last album experimentally. Instead of releasing the album to stores, they uploaded it to their website as a “pay what you want” price offer. Again, elated by this convenience, I jumped on the opportunity, and made a small donation to a very talented and worthy band. They too were pleased at the outcome of this “pay your own price” setup because it generated approximately $10 million in the first few months of its release.
Radiohead and other well known bands have recently formed a group called The Featured Artists Coalition. Their goal is to end the practice of record labels not allowing artists to have enough control over their work. Their other goal is to stop labels from enforcing anti-piracy conditions through the RIAA and IFPI without any consent from the artists themselves. With big names like this ‘calling out’ these organizations and their corrupt policies, I am willing to bet things will change.
Rapper 50 Cent recently spoke on CNBC embracing proposed changes in the rules concerning ‘pirated music’. It’s his opinion that if someone downloads an album, even though it is currently illegal, it may motivate them to go to the artist’s concerts, and bring the artist attendance revenue.
Each passing month, I read about more well-known and respected artists revising their traditional methods of business, the most recent ones being Korn and the Smashing Pumpkins. With each action comes more progress. In an economy that is struggling (and may be struggling for some time to come!) many fans will be relieved to hear about new, cheaper methods to encourage the pleasure of listening to ear melting rock–or whatever genre is your cup of tea!
by Greg Katkin
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