Another week begins. May it bring success and riches to you all. I, on the other hand, have already had to deal with a cease and desist e-mail from company pertaining to a recent audio track I decided to share. I think I’ve complied to the fullest extent possible, but I haven’t received any confirmation since informing them of my commitment to resolve the issue.
I won’t reprint the letter (that would be classless…although, other websites have), but it was pretty standard, except for the fact it came from an AOL account and was written in MS Comic Sans font. It opens with the “kind” request and hints at legal action, then tries to appear empathetic. I guess trying to ingratiate oneself after issuing a stern warning is somehow supposed to alleviate one’s anger after being bullied.
Although it infuriates me to do so, I’m going to alter my practices. I will no longer (publicly, on this website) endorse/promote anything by an artist or label that affiliates with one of these businesses that “protect [their] rights on the Internet,” because I am dialectically opposed to such practices. The fact that I was targeted as some kind of thief—even though the band and label website both have songs available for download, just not the same one—really annoys me. From now on, it’s out-of-print materials and bands with whom I am philosophically aligned. I’d much rather share a song from an album that’s no longer available to the masses, or songs from a band/label I respect than from those who are solely concerned with lining their pockets.
By the way, if you’re wondering why The Shins’ terrible new album debuted so high on the Billboards chart, read this and tell me that supposed “indie” labels haven’t totally demolished their senses of purity and the DIY ethic.
What say you, reader…
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