music slaves

This is the conclusion reached by UK Music Industry expert Peter Jenner in a report for MusicTank, a music business development agency backed by University of Westminster. Peter is a former band manager (Pink Floyd, The Clash, Billy Bragg), who now lectures at the London School of Economics. The full report costs money, but the executive reports is available online here, and it makes interesting reading. Some selected quotes:

“History suggests that if licensing is not dealt with, users of technology will just go around it, either by using non-copyrighted material, by simply ignoring copyright via various ingenious devices, or simply by using music on such a scale that enforcement becomes impossible. The users of new technologies such as podcasting, DAB radio, MP3 players and community portals such as MySpace may all fail to see why they should become involved with the old companies, except on their own terms.”

“The current record company model might well morph into that of venture capitalist licensors, working in partnership with artists or their representatives to develop their business, and pay a ‘fair share’ of the net income from exploitation to the creators of music.”

“What is essential is that the disproportionate power of a few very large companies should not be helped to continue into the future marketplace by trying to mimic the current distribution, financing and ownership model in the totally different environment online.”

The last mentioned is a key point: the ownership model. It is the corporate ownership of an artist’s music that is so poisonous today, and unsustainable in the future. The “venture capitalist” idea? Sounds like DGM with more money. By jove, I think he gets it…