RSSEMI may cut funding for RIAA, trade groups
By Ed Oswald | Published November 29, 2007, 2:10 PM
The future of the fight against piracy may be a lot less certain following rumors that music label EMI would like to make cuts in the funding of trade groups.
The four major music publishing labels -- EMI, Warner, Sony BMG, and Universal -- reportedly make regular payments to international representative groups such as IFPI and the RIAA. IFPI alone gets about $132 million a year from the four publishers, and that amount could be similar for RIAA, although no data was available.
Much of these funds are used to combat the growing problem of piracy. Without it, these groups' ability to launch legal action could be severely hampered. Out of the four, EMI is generally seen as the least concerned about the problem considering its recent actions, so if it does move to back out, it may not be all that surprising.
Either way, analysts see any cut in funding to these groups as negative for the industry overall, considering that the industry is only just now starting to see progress.
None of the labels would comment on the situation, although Reuters said today that at least one of the labels is said to strongly support the work of these groups. That is likely Universal, which has taken the strongest stance against online piracy.
EMI is currently undergoing restructuring following a buyout by a private equity firm. These investors could see the overall fight against piracy as a net negative to the company's bottom line, and may be looking for a way out.
RIAA, EMI and those behind in the darkest clouds are afraid...YES!, Digital Era is upon, download is the way, thy artist will unite, the artist shall have their own site, they will become independent to sell the music on their own, the way and in the only way...these are the words of an oracle.
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"IFPI alone gets about $132 million a year from the four publishers"
That's simply amazing - just one of four gets 132 millions dollars - wasn't this money supposed to go to the artists, which deserve it and which, in fact, made this money by their creative work?
Next time you buy a cd think about it - where your money goes.
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EMI distributes a lot of the early BEATLES catalog in Europe. I have some of those vintage imports from the UK. Most of that music is supposed to be on I-Tunes next year and that means lots of money for both EMI and the APPLE Records people...
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Cut the whole thing off. Let the RIAA die a very deserving death.
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Considering how angry and disappointed a lot of music listeners are with the current RIAA, I am sort of surprised it has taken so long for EMI to take a stand. It should be really interesting to see what the other records decide to do, if anything.
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...although no data was available.
Data is the plural of datum. Therefore, I think it should be...although no data were available.
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Nice find, eagle eyes.
:-)
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One down, 3 more to go?
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Yeah right... EMI will probably get pressured by artists that support the effort and said artists will probably threaten to leave the label, etc... EMI will back down, watch...
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not if it gets more money into the artists hands. they don't need fight this thing by turning the music industry against everyone, but by making it more compelling to buy stuff from them, such as files that are garanteed to work, virus free, higher quality, more convenient and reasonably priced.
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Probably right, but look at how many artists are still rallying against online distribution of their music. Add into that the fear that the record companies hold over artists and the complicated contracts. The artists may WANT to go this route, but may very well be unable to.
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