Industry Liabilities Blog

Music Piracy

            Larry Vallon discusses ways that music piracy has affected the music industry. Due to the increase in illegal music downloads, more music artists are beginning to play live shows. As Vallon mentions in the video, it is very easy to find a vast number of artist playing a show at any given time. This has a lot to do with the fact that live shows are currently allowing artists to remain financially afloat. The amount of income received from music sales is not as forthcoming as it was in past years. Most of the income earned from record sales ends up paying off the major expenses acquired while producing and marketing the project. Until the industry gains better legal control over music piracy, live performances will continue to be the primary income source for today’s musicians.

Recording Artist versus Record Labels

            Recording artists must be careful that they are not infringing on the requirements of their contract. They must be aware that there are specific engagements they may not take part in due to the terms of their contract. The artist must be mindful of this and should always consult their management and label for advice on what is acceptable and what is not at a specific time in their career. Royalties are the primary point of disagreement. The royalty rates must be understood up front and the artist should evaluate the deductions that occur before the contract is signed. “The other major dispute which an artist has with record companies today is that the record companies consider a download to be a sale and we who represent artist consider a download to be a license” (Shukat, 2006). It is definitely up to the artist to make certain that they are being paid fairly for the sale of their records.

Copyright Infringement 

            YouTube’s Internet star, Michelle Phan, has encountered her very own round of lawsuits due to allegations of copyright infringement. Phan, as mentioned in an AJC article written by Casey Johnston, has been sued by Ultra Records for the illegal use of music owned by their label. “Ultra Records claims that Phan has used 50 of its songs in her YouTube posts and on her website illegally despite one of the label’s own artists objecting to the legal action” (Johnston, 2014). The music copyrights support their fight to earn $100,000 per song from Phan, who used the songs as supporting background for her video demos featuring hair ties and makeup tutorials.

Kedrick "Rick" Mahoney

References

Johnston, C. (2014). Record label sues YouTube star for using its artists' house music. Ajc.com. Retrieved 10 August 2014, from http://www.ajc.com/feed/technology/record-label-sues-youtube-star-for-using-its/fgN8d/?__federated=1

Shukat, P. (2006). Common Disputes Between Artists and Record Companies - ArtistshouseMusic. Artistshousemusic.org. Retrieved 10 August 2014, from http://www.artistshousemusic.org/videos/common+disputes+between+artists+and+record+companies

Vallon, L. (2007). How Music Piracy Has Changed the Concert Business - ArtistshouseMusic.Artistshousemusic.org. Retrieved 10 August 2014, from http://www.artistshousemusic.org/videos/how+music+piracy+has+changed+the+concert+business