Italian Dj fined for using MP3's

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mikemc
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Post by mikemc » Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:14 am

and what if you have downloaded a legal MP3, can you play that out without any problems?

it seems it's time for a global (or at least european) law on how to handle this kind of thing
From what's been said on this forum, primarily what you need to be able to do is prove legitimate ownership, that makes sense. The 'right to public performance' thing, whatever venue needs to be licensed for that, right? -- in order for royalties to be paid to the appropriate organization. However, also from what's been said, it seems like MP3s and the like are singled out as being illegal in general, where the concept of a "legal, purchased MP3" is not considered.

But the fact of the matter is that anyone who distributes for sale in an MP3 format wants (or doesn't want) their music played by DJs just as much as if it were on CD, vinyl, whatever, isn't that so? Then it seems like it shouldn't matter what the format, or whether the record store was "brick and mortar" or "cyber": just that being able to provide legitimate proof of purchase is the issue (so your download receipt from mp3tunes.com or itunes etc with resultant account debit) in the case of a legalistic encounter.

It should *NOT* that you have some stamp-act type thing issued only to the music providers that have somehow lobbied the proper government officials while everyone wasn't looking.
UTENZIL a tool... of the muse.

pepezabala
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Post by pepezabala » Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:17 am

I can not get it out of my head: the music industry is sueing somebody millions of euros because he plays their music (in a public place that pays royalties). That is so sick, I mean, this DJ did promote their product.

(What leads us to the question: would it be legal for him to play promo-copys? I mean, normally they are not "owned" by the DJ, and public broadcasting is forbidden).

((And what about dancing? People who move like Michael Jackson should pay royalties, shouldn't they?))

onyxashanti
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Post by onyxashanti » Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:26 am

Rx wrote:otoh, anyone can play stolen vinyl too. i think the only solution is for djs to take an accountant and a lawyer everywhere they go.
that's the smart move. they only pull this shit on people who dont have the money or the press coverage to fight it. and it will get worse. the best thing would be to have a lawyer at the end of a phone so when the bullshit starts flying, they can throw some of that jedi-legalese on 'em [*wave* these aren't the mp3's you're looking for...*wave* you'll be on your way now...]

i had a friend in atlanta who was a law student, and when i'd get that bullshit from club owners about my money, i'd call her and have her screaming legal shit at them. and it would work [sometimes]

Rx
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Post by Rx » Mon Feb 21, 2005 1:56 pm

i predeict the demand for dual lawyer-accountants who can fit into carry-on luggage will now increase.
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