[Dixielandjazz] Copying CD's, copyright, promotion, the works

[James Butler]

Mike,

How do you feel about people buying used CD's instead of buying a new copy 
from a retailer or a websiye like yours?

Jim Butler
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Vaxtrpts at aol.com>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 12:53 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Copying CD's, copyright, promotion, the works


> This has been a spirited thread over the past few days.  I do have  strong
> feelings about the subject.  (Of  course, as many of you know,  I have 
> strong
> feelings about a lot of subjects, when it comes to the  music
> business...................)
> 1. The first example I would like to give is that of "bootleg" recordings
> that are being sold everywhere now.  It seems that someone who has no 
> scruples,
> can digitally enhance a "home-made" recording at some concert and put  it 
> out
> for consumption.  In my case, I was on 6 double albums (12 LP's)  with 
> Stan
> Kenton's band, during my tenure with the band.  I am now on at  least 21 
> other
> recordings that are out for sale in the marketplace.  Did I  get paid one
> penny for any of those recordings?  Of course not, just as all  the other
> musicians didn't get paid either.  Does the Kenton estate get one  penny 
> from the
> recordings?  Of course not.
> These people are "stealing" our product to make a profit.
> 2. Just as I am opposed to "playing for free" to get exposure for my band
> (which almost NEVER leads to any paying gigs), I am against people copying 
> my
> recordings and giving the copies to friends.  Sorry, but this is the 
> product
> of the labor of myself and the musicians I work with or hire.  It  is our
> PRODUCT.  And - just like stealing from the shelf of a store, when  it is 
> copied
> illegally, it isn't right.
> 3. Especially in the big band idiom, we know we will never make an actual
> profit from the recordings.  We mainly hope that we can come close to 
> breaking
> even, so that we can record more product.  It is truly a labor of  love 
> for
> the music and the musicians.  If a person buys one copy and then  makes a 
> dozen
> copies for their friends, rather than suggesting that they go to  "xyz"
> website to buy their own or purchase a CD from the band, it hurts our 
> chances of
> making more recordings for them to enjoy.
> 4. I am VERY lucky to record for one of the best of the independent jazz
> labels - Summit Records.  They take very good care of their artists -----  
> they
> promote the recordings, they supply the jazz stations and the jazz 
> magazines
> with promo copies, they work on getting our music played on the radio  and 
> get
> us reviews. (Shameless plug -- a wonderful review of my latest CD in the
> November issue of Jazz Times.)  We have to supply them with a finished 
> master,
> then they do all the production, artwork, and promotion.   They also sell 
> us
> product for a very reasonable rate, so that we, the  artists, can sell 
> them where
> we play to make something off that product.   For me, this is the best of 
> all
> worlds.
> 5. I don't really blame the inventors or the manufacturers of the cd
> burners.  I know that technology is out there and it will just keep 
> getting  better.
> (i.e. - the old days with tape recorders) But the gun analogy 
> (politically
> INCORRECT, but what the hey.....) does apply here.  The gun  manufacturer 
> didn't
> pull the trigger to kill someone.  If someone buys a cd  burner and makes 
> an
> extra copy for themselves or even a family member - more  power to them. 
> That
> is fine.  It is when they start making multiple copies  for friends that I 
> get
> upset.
> OK -- there you have it in a "nutshell."
> Mike  Vax
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