Musicians are definitely interested in using the Internet to reach their audience. That was the clear message I got at the Copyright Tutorial for Musicians that Public Knowledge hosted in New York City recently. Sherwin and I gave the presentation at the tutorial, which was designed to give musicians an overview of copyright law and policy. The event was co-sponsored by the New York City based Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.
Questions and concerns at the event largely centered on use of technology to get music to fans. Some in the audience were curious about how copyright law viewed peer-to-peer file sharing. Many attendees wanted to know how they could use others’ music in mash-ups or covers. The musicians’ attitude towards technology was a refreshing change from the complaints one constantly hears in Washington D.C. about how digital technology facilitates greater piracy and content owners deserve greater control over means of distribution.
PK’s publication “Copyright Tutorial for Musicians” on which the presentation at New York City was based is available here.
Ever since iTMS, this is
Ever since iTMS, this is something I’ve been eagerly awaiting. Big name groups like Radiohead are starting to see the light: once they have a following, they can promote themselves and cut out the RIAA middlemen. I foresee an eventual MySpace-esque “friends” system emerging, where well-known musicians pull up new artists whose work they admire, promoting those new artists alongside their own work.
Of course, those RIAA middlemen are in the early phases of panic mode, as they attempt to wring every last dollar they can from our culture before the masses show that they’re not needed anymore. Once the bastion of the artists themselves (minus the Ticketmaster inconvenience fees), the RIAA companies are trying to move in on concert revenues, instead of just rolling over and dying.
Nice new site, PK!
Nice new site, PK!