RIAA Members Sued For Copyright Infringement

[GhostShip]

A music label have launched a suit against two RIAA member companies alleging copyright infringement and non payment of royalties  :shock:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/05/24/apple_and_music_labels_accused_of_shortchanging_artists.html

Dawg Music, a relatively small label run by bluegrass musician (and former collaborator with Jerry Garcia) David Grisman as well as his business partner Craig Miller, is accusing those that carry Grisman's catalog of knowingly selling his works with sometimes poor or nonexistent compensation, and without his consent.

In effect, the music giants are said to have agreed to online distribution of Grisman's library without first asking the permission of Dawg Music, which owns the copyrights. By doing so, Universal and Warner have not only made unauthorized hard copies of the music but have also usurped control of the royalties due for each album: the lack of communication has meant "gross underpayments" of the expected dues, Dawg Music says in the 26-page filing.

Whilst this will no doubt be settled it will at least provide a fun event in our calendar, the penalty as mentioned in the article for each song that has been infringed upon is 150, 000 US dollars, so a successful case being made is big money for the artist who has had their work and revenues hijacked in this way.

[Scyre]

Good to hear!

It's about time the labels and artists are given their due. If the RIAA wasn't in the picture, they would be making much more.

Be Good!