The close of the semester always creates huge time commitments and thus the news has not been going out as it happens. So, since the holiday has officially begun, here are the big stories from the past few weeks. Take note of the first two links as they are a really big deal that may mark a drastic change in the RIAA's enforcement policy.
Music Industry to Abandon Mass Suits - Looks like "three strikes" is being pushed on the United States. A few things to think about...How involved is the FCC in all this? How are the network neutrality policies of the FCC and President-Elect Obama going to treat this little turn of events? How is the RIAA going to treat the privacy concerns of internet users? Is "making available" copyright infringement? Is this policy u-turn a reaction to this...
Three Major Record Labels Join the 'Choruss' - Jim Griffin and Warner Music Group have finally revealed their plan to end mass litigation against universities and college students by creating a new licensing agreement whereby universities (and consumers possibly in the future??) can get blanket licenses that legalize P2P file trading and any other form of obtaining music over the internet (free or paid). This agreement has the support of the RIAA and the EFF!!! - two groups that have traditionally been at odds about the direction of online music policy. Therefore, if the RIAA no longer needs to sue college students and can instead collect licensing fees they can now focus on ISP's. Now the problem (as I see it anyway) is instead of pushing "three strikes" they should be pushing this blanket license, legitimizing file-trading across the board. However, Choruss is a currently in beta testing and has not proven to work. To all those reading this...take heart, the industry is moving forward, testing new ground, and trying to save itself from EXTINCTION!! Props to Warner, they are doing what Universal is too scared to do. Also, be sure to watch the slideshow in the above link, which gives more details on the plan.
and in other news...
Also, many people ask whether you really need a major label record deal to work as a recording artist. The answer really is...it depends. It really depends on 1) what type of music you play and 2) how big do you want to be. Here is an example of an artist that is choosing not to go with a record label and how she is funding her new album. Can anyone say sellaband?
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