Courtney Love Does the Math (2000)
6 days ago
- #Artist Rights
- #Digital Distribution
- #Music Industry
- Piracy in music involves stealing artists' work without payment, distinct from services like Napster.
- Major label contracts often leave artists with minimal earnings despite album sales, due to recoupable expenses and unfair royalty structures.
- Record companies profit significantly from artists' work, while artists struggle financially, even after successful album releases.
- The RIAA's lobbying has led to copyright laws favoring record companies, classifying music as 'works for hire' owned perpetually by labels.
- Artists historically could reclaim copyrights after 35 years, but recent changes prevent this, benefiting corporations over creators.
- The digital era offers artists new distribution methods, reducing reliance on traditional gatekeepers like record labels.
- Direct artist-fan connections via the internet challenge the traditional music industry model, promoting equity and fair compensation.
- Sponsorships and corporate deals often exploit artists, offering little creative or financial benefit.
- The music industry's resistance to change and control over distribution stifles artist independence and cultural diversity.
- A call for new business models that respect artists' rights, offer fair compensation, and embrace digital distribution's potential.