Investigation into DJ piracy amid claims newcomers are stealing the show

[NocturnalVagabond]

Story : http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/investigation-into-dj-piracy/2007/11/09/11

DISC jockeys, along with some of the most popular clubs and bars in Sydney, are the subject of a piracy investigation by the music industry that could lead to significant fines and criminal charges.

[IceCube]

Wow, there is some seriously misguided thinking comeing out of this article. Where to begin? Lets start with the less obvious:

He said legitimate DJs were being undermined by pirates who could afford lower rates. "I've come across people that I've DJed alongside at various functions where their laptops have been filled with MP3s - they show it off," he said."If I'm going out buying vinyl and I've got some young buck with a computer full of 20,000 MP3s, it's hard to compete."

That some young buck could have also bought them on the endless supply of music stores online - namely beatPort which explicitly said that playing their music, subject to local copyright laws, live is perfectly legit. Equating MP3's to piracy is like equating food to crime. A high quality DRM free song isn't always pirated. Get with the times and don't assume vinyle is the only legitimate form of music in clubs.

Mr Burke retired a month ago to focus on managing Central Station Records. He has noticed "a big downturn" in the music coming from local producers, reluctant to "sit at home in a bedroom and create music when the only thing that's going to happen is it's going to be put onto the internet and downloaded for free".

The irony is that I already do this and currently considering offering means for people to financially support me. P2P is the best thing that has ever happened to club music because more music can be seriously exposed. Just look at the study commissioned by the government of Canada and you'll note that if I'm using P2P, I'm far more likely to pay for music.

This looks beyond the fact that DJs are an incredibly powerful way to promote music. It isn't the first time that the music industry attacked those helping their industry flourish, so if the record companies are breathing down your backs DJs, don't play their music. They've clearly gotten greedy enough to ruin your livelihood because they think they are better off suing you than letting you help them gain exposure.

I would like to note that Central Station didn't say this was a problem, but the manager is treading on thin ice in my books. So, note to Mr. Burke, if you make a move to harm your fans, you'll be the first non-RIAA label on my blacklist.

[enigmax]

That some young buck could have also bought them on the endless supply of music stores online - namely beatPort which explicitly said that playing their music, subject to local copyright laws, live is perfectly legit. Equating MP3's to piracy is like equating food to crime. A high quality DRM free song isn't always pirated. Get with the times and don't assume vinyle is the only legitimate form of music in clubs.

True say.

P2P is the best thing that has ever happened to club music because more music can be seriously exposed.

. true true..more than any other genre

nice find