Billy Bragg and a coalition of UK rock stars speak up for downloaders
Glyn sez, "Musicians including Billy Bragg, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien and Blur's Dave Rowntree have said that fans should not be prosecuted for illegally downloading music from the internet.
Bragg speaking as a key member of the Featured Artists Coalition, which was set up to give a collective voice to artists who want to fight for their rights in the digital world, said:"
"What I said at the meeting was that the record industry in Britain is still going down the road of criminalising our audience for downloading illegal MP3s,"I shared a stage with Bragg a couple weeks ago at the Convention on Modern Liberty -- he was fantastic on the subject of liberty and applauded when I said that I thought that the new global conversation online was the most inspirational "liberty" story I'd seen. He's the real deal."If we follow the music industry down that road, we will be doing nothing more than being part of a protectionist effort. It's like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube.
"Artists should own their own rights and they should decide when their music should be used for free, or when they should have payment."
Other musicians who support the cause include Annie Lennox, Robbie Williams, Peter Gabriel, David Gray, Fran Healy from Travis, Pink Floyd's Nick Mason and Mick Jones from The Clash.
It's not a crime to download, say musicians (Thanks, Glyn!)
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I'd love to know whether some of the people commenting on the article in The Independent have any relevant special interests.
Billy Bragg is one of the most intelligent and politically aware musicians of our time. I have boundless respect for both his talent and his willingness to speak out on important issues. So many current "stars" could learn a thing or two from this hero.
Stefan (who will get around to creating an account here one of these days)
Billy Bragg - socialist when he wants to be. I wonder where he's going put the $ on his red flag.
Damn socialists!
Hurrah to Bragg. This reminds me of the thing that his manager said back in 2004 :
"In five to 10 years' time, we'll be looking at it and saying, 'What were we worried about?'" said Peter Jenner, who manages singer-songwriter Billy Bragg. "I don't see how the Internet won't make us tons and tons of money."
Billy Bragg - "Artists should own their own rights."
Billy, please tell me what socialist principal says that you can own a song?
A socialist calling for royalties, that's rich.
@4: Bragg didn't say "royalties", he said "rights". Also, socialism does not abrogate the right to private property, that's communism.
Also, it's "principle", not "principal". If you're going to be a wanking jackass at least learn the proper vocabulary. Wanking jackass.
Um ... #2/#4 Lasermike,
Did we read the same article?
From what I can tell, Mr Bragg wants his audience to download his music. He is against prosecuting them. I don't see how any of this has anything to do with whether he is a socialist or not. Are you a socialist? I think being a socialist has less to do with how much money you make and more to do with how much money you are willing part with as taxes.
I think when Bragg said that artists should own the song, he meant it in relation to recording companies. He was saying that an artist should be able to decide if his music should be allowed to be downloaded for free or not.
So he was being against prosecuting illegal downloading.
-anin
So he was being against prosecuting illegal downloading.
I got that from the headline alone, but some folks need it spelled out, so thanks.
If an artist sold the rights to his/her work, then he/she is (pretty much by definition) not really in a position to say how his/her works should or should not be made available, or to say what the rights-owners ought to do against people who violate the rights-owners' copyright.
Musicians let big companies have the rights to their songs, so that the big companies give the musicians money or marketing or recording sessions or tours or whatever. It's odd to expect that the companies would do anything but use those rights to further the companies' interests.
Whether suing downloaders actually furthers the companies' interests or not, can be debated. But the companies think it does. And that is the only thing that should reasonably determine whether downloaders are sued or not. Or are we expecting these companies (companies who depend on selling IP to survive) to all of a sudden let people have their stuff, out of the goodness of their hearts? That'd be like Toyota opening the gates of a warehouse to the public, handing out car keys at the entrance, and saying "Everyone, just go ahead and take them".
Yes, IP is not the same as physical property, IP just gives someone a temporary monopoly... but not enforcing this monopoly might cause the someone to lose money. If musicians really want this to happen, then they should hang on to some of the rights to their songs, and give them away for free, like Cory does with his books. But after the rights to the work belong to someone else, I'm not sure where whining will get you...
It’s always interesting what rock stars have to say.
So, if a nasty old "socialist" thinks that something is good, it must be terrible? Even if it perfectly mirrors the feelings of some "capitalists"? Socialism provides a convenient right-wing talking point, but those who actually fear socialism enough to fantasize that every socialist policy is inherently evil should probably get out more. And don't forget your iPod.
"Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it." - John Lennon
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything." - Plato
I think it is interesting the interpretations people are taking from Bragg's words.
You can see how people's opinions of Bragg, as an artist and activist, reflects how they are reading this article.
I like the Lennon quote TAKESHI posted. Never heard it, but I think Bragg would agree to that sentiment; being a socialist.
I think it is kind of sad that people are unwilling to see eye to eye with a person just because they have disagreements over politics.
I'd categorize Bragg's music as Bildungsroman, if that can qualify as a music genre. I don't feel like his music tells you what to think, even when the song does have political undertones.
Actually, quoting directly from his lyrics: "Just remember there are two sides to every story."
This is not an argument for stricter copyright control.... but I find it interesting that all the artists quoted in the article as supporting the cause are old fogeys who haven't put out anything worth listening to in years. Good as their shit was back in the day when we sat around taping vinyls, they can't sell it now & are hoping that noobs downloading furiously will stumble across their post mid life crisis product, resulting in at least some sales. So it comes as no surprise they'll all Touchy Feely. They can only benefit.
Blur - Think Tank (2003) - Can't find the exact figure but I'm fairly certain it went platinum (at least 1,000,000).
Radiohead - In Rainbows (2007) - Over 3,000,000
Billy Bragg - Mr Love & Justice (2008) - Can't find a figure but there's a lot of 4 star reviews so I'm guessing it sold ok.
Robbie Williams - Rudebox (2006) - Wikipedia says "less than 5,000,000"
Annie Lennox - Songs of Mass Destruction (2007) - 432,000
I'm guessing the Annie Lennox album was probably the worst selling of the lot and 400,000 copies is 4/5ths the way to a Gold Album.
Fair cop. I actually just wanted to describe someone as an "Old Fogey".
Tick that!
Some people here should brush up on their education.
There is a difference between socialism and communism.