Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Mega Conspiracy

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  • Hugh Lilly, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    This is brilliant.

    Auckland • Since Feb 2007 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • alobar, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    yeah , that’d really piss off the punters :)

    auckland • Since Apr 2010 • 63 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Mick Jagger, using his LSE credentials no doubt, took the bull by the horns and gained control of the Rolling Stones music thus paving the way for other artists to get a fair suck of the sav.

    That's an interesting re-reading. The Rolling Stones were one of the most screwed acts of all time after their manager, Allen Klein (yes - the Allen Klein) stripped them of both their masters and publishing on the Decca era materiel.

    They own their recordings post '70 when Decca contract expired and they set up Rolling Stones Records, via Atlantic, but it wasn't some grand inspired move - many acts were doing exactly what they were doing at the time, mostly inspired by Apple Records (even though The Beatles didn't ever acquire more than veto control over the use of their masters, instead of ownership).

    And the drive for the Rolling Stones to do that - aside from the Apple inspiration - came from Ahmet Ertegun and Prince Rupert Loewenstein, their financial advisor from 1970 to 1986.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    After terrific year, music biz demands that world adopt “SOPA plus"

    In order to protect itself from piracy, the worldwide recording industry needs a few favors from governments and corporations around the globe, and a major new digital music report (PDF) from the industry’s worldwide lobby IFPI lays them out. When placed end-to-end, it’s a lengthy list—and its one that comes after a year of surprisingly strong growth for the industry.

    Ahh, the stench of greed, that is so 1985.

    With a healthy 8 per cent increase in our digital revenues in 2011 –
    the fi rst time the annual growth rate has risen since records began
    in 2004 – some might feel tempted to say that a troubled era for the
    music industry is coming to an end. Such complacency now, however,
    would be a great mistake.

    Frances Moore, chief executive, IFPI

    She goes on to say “The music industry has grasped the
    opportunities of the digital world in a
    way few, if any, other businesses can
    claim to have done.” and she is right, most other industries have done it without suing everybody in sight, corrupting politicians and blatantly crushing their opposition with the DCMA.

    The report has a nice picture of cuddly Placebo de Mango, its chairman, because opera is just so now, innit?.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Simon Grigg,

    That’s an interesting re-reading.

    I like a nice re-reading. ;-)
    But you saw my point I hope.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Some smart bugger just suggested removing all references to popular music and film from the internet altogether, take that, entertainment industry.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Drugs also fail as a comparison because if you use them, they're gone. Digital media, not so.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    recordings or videos of prescription drugs

    quite. the ulitmate placebo.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    She goes on to say “The music industry has grasped the
    opportunities of the digital world in a
    way few, if any, other businesses can
    claim to have done.” and she is right, most other industries have done it without suing everybody in sight, corrupting politicians and blatantly crushing their opposition with the DCMA.

    Actually, the smart people, the ones who looked for opportunities in a changing world, do deserve credit. We're seeing deals in Europe where ISPs offer unlimited access to music as a premium -- and creators get paid. And, in comparison with other content industries, the music business looks reasonably advanced.

    The disappointment is the constant willingness of parts of that business to demand the unacceptable.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Sacha,

    Drugs also fail as a comparison because if you use them, they're gone. Digital media, not so

    Mind you, in the mega download age the chances of me actually consuming something in my collection are low. The enjoyment of each one would require fine instrumentation to measure. And I don't even download anything, just occasionally enjoy a hard drive copying seshon with mates.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to BenWilson,

    social inhalation

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • martinb, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    depends- lobbying on behalf of a dominant media player and probably donor (?) does rather begin to worry.

    Aside from anything else does no one worry about the collection of cultural power in the hands of one media outlet?

    This is especially true with the starvation and slow death rattle of public service digital and triangle.

    Our ability to see out reflection in the mass media is poor and getting poorer.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Actually, the smart people, the ones who looked for opportunities in a changing world, do deserve credit. We’re seeing deals in Europe where ISPs offer unlimited access to music as a premium – and creators get paid. And, in comparison with other content industries, the music business looks reasonably advanced.

    What about a pay-per-download system?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to martinb,

    Aside from anything else does no one worry about the collection of cultural power in the hands of one media outlet?

    There are rumblings on Your Views/Stuff comments, and Igloo seems to have attracted near-universal ridicule, but so far SKY hasn't yet plumbed to Telecom-level publicity yet. And not much scrutiny aside from John Drinnan and Chris Barton. Ideally someone really needs to dig up some dirty laundry first. Or pull off a Jono Pryor on steroids like Czech Dream or Game of Death.

    There's hope yet - Bernard Hickey is the latest convert to public broadcasting. See my comment in his article.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    The UK cops raided a safe deposit facility and confiscated everything: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1222777/The-raid-rocked-Met-Why-gun-drugs-op-6-717-safety-deposit-boxes-cost-taxpayer-fortune.html

    I don’t know whether the Daily Mail is any good, but that’s an awesome story!

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Caleb D'Anvers, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,

    I don't know whether the Daily Mail is any good

    Generally speaking, no. Also known as: The Daily Fail, the Daily Heil, and (my personal favourite), the Daily Mailed Fist. (Found that one in a first-world-war diary, so the paper's reputation for reactionary mendacity goes back rather a long way.) But anyway, while we're here, here's a handy guide to the Daily Mail underground.

    London SE16 • Since Mar 2008 • 482 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,

    I don’t know whether the Daily Mail is any good

    Well, that depends on your world view. How do you feel about single mothers, those on benefits, immigrants, gypsies, asylum seekers, gays and socialists? Would you like your world to be divided neatly into two groups: things that cause cancer, and things that don’t? How do you feel about women that try to ‘have it all’: a family and a career? Exactly how much damage do you think they are doing to their children?

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Caleb D'Anvers, in reply to Rich Lock,

    The ultimate Daily Mail headline, as glimpsed over someone's shoulder on the train a few weeks ago: "The Dogs That Can Detect Cancer."

    London SE16 • Since Mar 2008 • 482 posts Report Reply

  • alobar, in reply to Sacha,

    Drugs also fail as a comparison because if you use them, they’re gone. Digital media, not so

    That doesn't make it a less valid comparison from a legal perspective.
    I didn't like the drug analogy myself to begin with , but given the low level of harm of some drugs (legal and illegal) , and the widespread low level use maybe its not such a bad comparison.

    auckland • Since Apr 2010 • 63 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    The ultimate Daily Mail headline, as glimpsed over someone's shoulder on the train a few weeks ago: "The Dogs That Can Detect Cancer."

    It is true, though.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Sacha,

    word up...

    ...if you use them, they’re gone. Digital media, not so.

    I thought I had heard that some digital books (or whatever the current term is) 'purchased' on line, will just disappear after 3 months (or thereabouts) - 'ownership' is becoming more of an intangible and ephemeral thing, it seems...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    ‘ownership’ is becoming more of an intangible and ephemeral thing, it seems…

    A lot of people would be rather surprised by what exactly it is they own, and what is is the record label has chosen to merely lend to them (with certain strict terms and conditions), when they buy a music CD….

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,

    They are pure evil, but were the most comprehensive (and presumably vaguely accurate) article I could find on the event.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Rich Lock,

    Would you like your world to be divided neatly into two groups: things that cause cancer, and things that don’t?

    I knew gypsies caused cancer..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to alobar,

    That doesn't make it a less valid comparison from a legal perspective.

    drug crimes are not civil offenses. proven copyright violation is.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

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