2 years, 2 months ago
Will Pink Floyd's legal victory over their record company, EMI, change the way song tracks are sold online?
This is in reference to a landmark legal victory stating that Pink Floyd's record company, EMI, can no longer sell Pink Floyd album songs as an individual song track without first getting permission from the band. EMI must sell Pink Floyd album songs as complete albums online and offline.
The court ruled that the band's contract with EMI not only applied to their physical in-store album sales, but also to digital sales over the internet. Since downloading individual songs has become common, how will this ruling change things?
The court ruled that the band's contract with EMI not only applied to their physical in-store album sales, but also to digital sales over the internet. Since downloading individual songs has become common, how will this ruling change things?
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M$1 Answer
First of all EMI and Pink Floyd are both British entities, and this ruling and the contract it is based on all took place in Britain. You have to wonder if the impact, whatever it may be, will be limited to Britain.
Second, there is a clause in the contract stating that EMI may not break up albums and sell them song by song. It is that language which the Chancellor found compelling, and the impact upon other artists will no doubt be limited to the extent that they have similar language in their contracts. Pink Floyd's manager from the 60's believes the decision will bring more control of digital media bnack to the artists, while legal experts are not so sure:
---quote---
Mark Krais, an expert on music law at Bray and Krais solicitor, said that Pink Floyd’s contract was likely to be unique to them, but could bear similarities with those of other groups.
---/quote---
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7058412.ece
Personally, having been a Pink Floyd fan, I am well aware of the extreme importance of the "concept album" to Pink Floyd's work, and I have doubts that too many groups have similar language or can prove their albums were artistically "Whole", units which should not be dissected.
If nothing else, wouldn't you love to go to court and hear the entire place zoning out to Exhibit A, "Another Brick in the Wall" at full volume?
Perhaps something like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCMHmDnfD6I&feature=PlayList&p=FFCA2C9DFEC5C50B&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=36
Second, there is a clause in the contract stating that EMI may not break up albums and sell them song by song. It is that language which the Chancellor found compelling, and the impact upon other artists will no doubt be limited to the extent that they have similar language in their contracts. Pink Floyd's manager from the 60's believes the decision will bring more control of digital media bnack to the artists, while legal experts are not so sure:
---quote---
Mark Krais, an expert on music law at Bray and Krais solicitor, said that Pink Floyd’s contract was likely to be unique to them, but could bear similarities with those of other groups.
---/quote---
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7058412.ece
Personally, having been a Pink Floyd fan, I am well aware of the extreme importance of the "concept album" to Pink Floyd's work, and I have doubts that too many groups have similar language or can prove their albums were artistically "Whole", units which should not be dissected.
If nothing else, wouldn't you love to go to court and hear the entire place zoning out to Exhibit A, "Another Brick in the Wall" at full volume?
Perhaps something like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCMHmDnfD6I&feature=PlayList&p=FFCA2C9DFEC5C50B&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=36
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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