Why artists should worry less about piracy and more about how much it costs to publish online

My latest InformationWeek column is up! "How Big Media's Copyright Campaigns Threaten Internet Free Expression" describes why artists should be less alarmed by piracy and more alarmed by copyright enforcement systems that raise the cost of publication to the advantage of the established players and the detriment of new companies that might offer a better deal.

The Internet's current, incredible diversity is great news for artists. The traditional artist's lament is that our publishers have us over a barrel, controlling the narrow and vital channels for making works available -- from big gallery owners to movie studios to record labels to New York publishers. That's why artists have such a hard time negotiating a decent deal for themselves (for example, most beginning recording artists have to agree to have money deducted from their royalty statements for "breakage" of records en route to stores -- and these deductions are also levied against digital sales through the iTunes Store!).

But, thanks to the web, artists have more options than ever. The Internet's most popular video podcasts aren't associated with TV networks (with all the terrible, one-sided deals that would entail), rather, they're independent programs like RocketBoom, Homestar Runner, or the late, lamented Ze Frank Show. These creators -- along with all the musicians, writers, and other artists using the net to earn their living -- were able to write their own ticket. Today, major artists like Radiohead and Madonna are leaving the record labels behind and trying novel, net-based ways of promoting their work.

And it's not just the indies who benefit: the existence of successful independent artists creates fantastic leverage for artists who negotiate with the majors. More and more, the big media companies' "like it or leave it" bargaining stance is being undermined by the possibility that the next big star will shrug, turn on her heel, and make her fortune without the big companies' help. This has humbled the bigs, making their deals better and more artist-friendly.

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[#1 posted by Dave X , November 5, 2007 6:42 AM]

Wanna proof that headline for us?

[#2 posted by Cory Doctorow , November 5, 2007 7:07 AM]

Doh! Thanks, Dave!

[#3 posted by Dave X , November 5, 2007 7:26 AM]

I will now return to my Fortress of Solitude, awaiting the next typo to strike.

[#4 posted by abb3w , November 5, 2007 7:35 AM]

I wonder what pressures this is creating behind the Hollywood writers strike. Competition from these sources is reducing demand for mainstream media dreck, and thus impacting what the MM can afford to pay. On the other hand, while there are more outlets for creativity than ever, few pay so well as Hollywood.

On the gripping hand, Hollywood Accounting is already so screwy that the whole place should be burned to the ground — and the insurance companies pay using Hollywood's own formulae for determining the insurance check.

[#5 posted by Downpressor , February 7, 2008 9:13 PM]

s sl, mr brly nfrmd tchn tpn blthrng. Cry, 'd sggst y lrn bt mr bt th bsnss sss nvlvd wth nd th hstry f prmtng nd sllng rcrdd ntrtnmnt.

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[#6 posted by Downpressor , February 25, 2008 4:49 PM]

Oh ye would be dissenters! Beware the heavy handed vowel thief!