A couple of thoughts.
Compilations: For me they are a way to search through a number of related artist in a genre for styles I like. A couple of GL’s compilations have lead to my buying multiple CD’s by the artist I’ve discovered. Since the litigation, I’ve usually loocked for CD’s directly from an artist’s site, but then I tended to do that anyway. For example, I first heard lunasa from a compilation. I then bough two of their CD’s from thier sight for myself and another 2 as gifts.
Record Companies VS. Artists. I don’t know what happened between GL and it’s artists. In general I know that there have been record companies that have frauded artists AND there have been artist that have frauded the record companies. The fact that its in litigation means there are two sides, it is my hope they can come up with an equitable settlement to both sides. The record company can get a return on its money spent establishing the label, marketing itself and the artist, establishing and maintaining relations with distributor and retailers. Like wise the artist should get a reasonable return on his work and recieve royalities agreed to.
In recent times, the value of compilations has declined because RealAudio and MP3 samples on internet sites make it so much easier to sample and artist’s production. Even record stores now have listening stations that let one sample most of the records they have for sale. For example, I find I buy from Borders more because they set up these listening stations so I could easily sample a CD before buying. They tend to charge a little more for the CD, but I still save money. Prior to the listening stations, I’d estimate that a third of the records or CD’s I’d buy where listened to once, and never again. I’d then grimace of the waist of money. Prior to listening stations (in store or internet) the only way to sample a number of interesting artists were compilations. I think GL originally contributed greatly to the genre and therefor to regular album sales through these. I don’t think this would excuse them from not paying royalities they agreed to, but the accounting expense of splitting royalties amoung so many artists and groups, with so many different thematic compilations might make compilations cost prohibitive. Today since a lot of this can be done with relative ease using automation, software, etc. it wouldn’t be an issue. If GL lagged behind this technology they would end up with a lot of dissatisfied artists.
Again I am NOT defending anything GL’s has done. I am only saying that there is a difference between criminal fraud and between an initially good business arrangement being over taken by technology or changes in the marketplace. If the later happens both the business and artists are dissatisfied. They may not be able to come to an agreement to share the loss of expected returns without mediation.
Because I don’t know all the facts, I’m glad to hear that the courts are being used to help resolve the problems. I wish the courts weren’t necessary, because both parties will lose addition resources because they need to pay for the cost of mediation. I think both parties are going to be dissatisfied with the final settlement, its just that there will be some balance to their levels of dissatifaction.
Finally, I’d like to say I support the artists in their actions toward GL. I doubt that they will get what they want, but over the long run it will further define better business practices for both sides. It may also return the control of assets (masters, copyrights, publishing rights, etc) to the artist who can then search for a more modern business with the flexibility to better represent them through technological and market changes. Another possiblity would be to create an overwhelming financial incentive for GL to make the changes it needs to accomodate the artists through the same changing environment.
My hope is that both become free to get back to the heart of the business … enjoying music. I also hope that we can honor each other opinions so each of us is free the get back to the heart of this community which is how you …
If he finds a venue to purchase inexpensive CDs of music from artists he likes, that’s perfectly fine for him to do and none of us has a right to bash him for his choice. You can of course always choose not to yourself and even post your own reasonings if you feel you need to. Comparisons to buying his stolen car are silly at best - even though the intent of the simile is clear.
