In the field of the music industry, the main topic is always how the average has access to download music. Furthermore, there are online content providers, or also known as bloggers, that have posted such music for free. Take for example, a popular album by a popular artist on Atlantic may drop and the album is leaked online. The labels will do a quick shutdown of the link found that is giving the musical content for free. Most of the time, its major labels who do this but, quite a few independent music labels follow this trend as well. This is very common and nothing really new if you keep with the trend of consumers downloading music more be it legal or illegally online. With that being said, what is the thin line of a legal and illegal download.
In recent news, there is a blog website I visit often called . Which is a very popular hip hop website dedicated to promoting a lot of underground artists and some major label music. From time to time, there have been links uploaded of various remix projects or original sample projects of classic albums on the website. This has has given kevinnottingham.com its standout presence within the blogosphere world of hip hop hop music. Recently, the owner of the site, Kevin Nottingham, just released a statement voicing his frustration of cease and desist letters he has received from lawyers about some of the content he has distributed. The latest cease and desist letter he has received was involving a tribute project to LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out". In all actuality, Mr. Nottingham pointed out a few things wrong with this issue. First of all, the project was free and there no profits being made the project. Second, it was a tribute so, albums that usually tributes do not have to go through the same process as regular albums. Third, the producer of the original album applauded the effort of the tribute album and did not voice an opinion of wanting of taking legal action. There was also an assumption that LL Cool J probably has not heard this album himself. Good points made by Kevin Nottingham but lets hope the legal team of Todd Smith does not go to greater lengths to sue for an album that is not making profits.
One has to question if the issue of downloading is reaching a bit. Its understandable if its an illegal download that has not been paid for. But certain downloads that are free that major labels and legal teams jump feels like they're not reading in between the lines. And also, it can sound like a desperate attempt to salvage money for clients and artists if they're in the wrong. Lets take famous producer of Gnarles Barkely, Dangermouse, for example. He remixed Jay-Z's Black Album with the Beatles White Album and made the Grey Album. If you don't the story here's a summary. This story important always has a few people scratching their heads because, EMI was trying to sue Dangermouse but what could they sue for? Promo copies of the album circulated and continually, the interest in the album grew. Therefore, in the end of all the chaos, the label thought "ok, lets make a deal with this guy". Apparently, they saw the popularity behind what Dangermouse has done and figured an olive branch of peace to be extended was in order.
So, in conclusion, the viral marketing of downloading is not anything easy to explain when it is a promotional tool being used to reach a broader audience. Hopefully, more companies will understand the importance and make wise decisions about downloads. They will know when stop a download from being illegal and know when a download is actually better marketing than some of their usual marketing tools. Its not easy to point out in details but it can be done.
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