MusicTank

Right To Reply

With our newsletter editorials regularly stimulating further comment, we thought we should share this with all readers on a regular basis.  Last month’s P2P Busters edition (Oct 11th) was no exception – see below for responses received and links to 3rd party postings.

ANTHONY HALL (Pure Mint Recordings) on Radiohead's free digital download album, 'In Rainbows' ...

“I, like you, am intrigued by the possibilities if more and more artists release records following the Radiohead model, though I am very surprised that not one journalist (at the BBC, at MusicTank, or at any of the music press) has commented on the fact that Radiohead have bypassed the minimum royalties set out in the MCPS JOL (by filing a form 7F with MCPS)...(yet) still collecting mechanicals on the box set - which seems a little hypocritical.”

“If the 'brilliant model is followed' and all 'big' artists were to do the same - and if the world moves to a predominantly 'digital marketplace' - then could this potentially signal the end of the MCPS?  and, if so,  then how does the little guy get protected or paid? In fact, under such a model would there be any more need for any collective licensing? The MCPS relies on collecting on the 'big acts' to pay its overhead to collect on 'all acts' - big or small...” More...

http://www.musictank.co.uk/comments

And while he agreed with many points in the editorial, we received this from Matt Phillips, BPI...

"I don't understand the "suing customers" line. A one-time shopper turned shoplifter does not a customer make.  People are not sued for being customers.  When you start giving music away to millions of other people, whether you bought it or not in the first place is irrelevant.  More...

http://www.musictank.co.uk/comments

We were pleased to see the editorial being Dugg by the blogging community, too...

“A concise and coherent article on the impression given by the RIAA's fine to Jammie Thomas…A 5-minute read that shows larger news gatherers (take note BBC) how to write something that gives sufficient depth while avoiding getting too technical.”  More...

http://digg.com/tech_news/Balanced_discussion_of_music_p2p_the_RIAA_Jammie_Thomas_and_more

...even if in less than favourable terms...

ANDREW DUBBER (New Music strategies) : 'Music Tank (sic) So Standup Comedy'

“It’s often scary when an industry education-focused organisation starts to simply spout the corporate PR. But it can be funny too.” More..

http://newmusicstrategies.com/2007/10/12/music-tank-do-standup-comedy/

Meanwhile, Andrew has had the good grace to since apologise for his somewhat over-zealous reaction, in his blog coverage of the recent CIDA/MusicTank event, Building A Business On Free, and add some interesting insight into the concept of ‘free’.  More...

http://newmusicstrategies.com/2007/11/06/building-a-business-on-free/

And finally, whilst in blog-mode, those not able to attend Building A Business On Free have a chance to read keynote speaker Guy Parsons’ blog on this panel discussion – (his illustrated presentation is also archived here): More...

http://www.vexappeal.com/2007/11/building-business-on-free-presentation.html

As ever we are always pleased to receive your e-mails and invite contributions for future publication.  Please send them to editor(A)musictank.co.uk and be clear to mark ‘Not For Publication’ if you do not wish it to be published.

New Member Content - Event Summary

TOM ROBINSON..."Too much choice?  For who?  I assume we’re talking about ‘the majority of the record buying public’ – but who are they?  Industry has a history of patronising consumers – pigeon-holing into demographics like ‘sun readers’, ‘mums & dads’ etc.  The implication here is that people are too stupid to know what they actually LIKE... the level of choice we have across the board as consumers is incredible – and no-one seems to have a problem with the level of choice we have in groceries at Tesco.  Why should music be any different?"

RICHARD FERO..."We spend a lot of our time listening to the consumer – no-one has ever claimed there’s too much choice, just that they might need a bit of help.  They embrace choice and are just looking for a bit of direction - trusted places, word of mouth – passionate muso mates who make recommendations.  Consumers broadly see the current situation as positive."

CHARLIE RAPINO..."There's too much stuff out there – choice is hard because so much stuff is mediocre these days. Consumerism breeds homogeneity – it makes everyone equal.  There seems to be too much focus on delivery methods etc these days, not the product itself.  We’re focused on working to deadlines rather than quality."