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Originally Posted by Jules  is the RIAA 'our people' or are they "their people"? |
Clearly "their"! The RIAA is Warner Music, Sony, EMI, and BMG. That's it.
They use musicians to get sympathy in their lawsuits, then NEVER give any of their lawsuit-won money to the musicians.
They are clearly not on our side.
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Originally Posted by Jules Internationally, does an independent artist ever have anyone going into battle for them at a governmental level? |
Future of Music Coalition (definitely for the musician)
The Home Page (indie labels, not musicians, but closer)
If anyone knows of others, I'd love to hear about them.
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Originally Posted by Jules Does an independent artist WANT anyone going into battle for them at a governmental level? |
Musicians should have a voice in government, definitely. I think most governments only hear from the RIAA lobbyists, and think that the RIAA has musicians' interest in mind. But that couldn't be further from the truth. I really do like the work of
Future of Music Coalition (I'm on the Board of Directors.)
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Originally Posted by Jules Are the independent artists rights 'weak' due to lack of big business and commercial muscle power? |
Partially that, but also due to bad self-perception. Artists often thinking they have no power, not realizing they do.
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Originally Posted by Jules Does all the money of record labels actually 'buy' them anything of any real use on a legislative level? If so what? And will that always be out of reach for the independent artist or hold them back? |
There's so so so so so so much to say about this that I have to just punt, and point you to the Future of Music website that has many articles, resources, and research about this subject :
FMC | Articles Quote:
Originally Posted by Jules If money talks and BS walks, will the independent artist always be walking? Or is there a chance for them to be 'catching the bus' soon? |
Independent artists waiting for a bus to take them somewhere (for someone else to do something for them) will be Waiting for Godot.
Independent artists who...
- realize the great value of their music
- know that lack-of-money can be a benefit
- find a creative angle
- do innovative things that the massive corporations can't afford to do
- and NEVER wait for someone else to make something happen for them
... will always do well.