Universal Sues MySpace

Universal Music Group on Friday sued MySpace.com, claiming the online social-networking hub illegally encourages its users to share music and music videos on the site without permission, according to Jam! Music.

In the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, Universal Music contends MySpace, a unit of News Corp., attempts to shield itself from liability by requiring users agree to grant the website a license to publish the content they upload to the site. Users, however, have no such authority over works they don't own.

The website also "encourages, facilitates and participates in the unauthorized reproduction, adaptation, distribution and public performance," according to the suit.

In the complaint, Universal singles out features on the Web site that enable users to save copies of videos to their profile pages or share them with others on the site.

Universal Music, a unit of Paris-based Vivendi SA and the world's largest recording company, is home to recording artists such as U2, The Killers and Kanye West.

"Our music and videos play a key role in building the communities that have created hundreds of millions of dollars of value for the owners of MySpace," the company said in a statement. "Our goal is not to inhibit the creation of these communities, but to ensure that our rights and those of our artists are recognized."

In response to the lawsuit, MySpace issued a statement saying it is in full compliance with copyright laws and is confident it will prevail in court.

"We have been keeping UMG closely apprised of our industry-leading efforts to protect creators' rights, and it's unfortunate they decided to file this unnecessary and meritless litigation," the statement read. "We provide users with tools to share their own work - we do not induce, encourage, or condone copyright violation in any way."

Comments

[ZeRaTuL HeLiOs]

Metallica should be hopping on the bandwagon soon.

[Weybl Himself]

ZeRaTuL HeLiOs wrote:

Metallica should be hopping on the bandwagon soon.

With a whopping score of zero on the originality-O-meter, you lose.

But seriously, what a crock. People putting music on their myspace pages is no different to web-based radio or even regular radio. It's really extra coverage for the artists. No indie label would ever dream of sueing myspace because they realise how good a promo tool it is. It's just the majors that get their collective panties in a twist.

[Partyboy2k05]

Hmm...guess they better start on youtube too then. You can put songs and video on your page, but it's not like you can save it and half the time it doesn't even work. I'm getting quite tired of the record companies trying to bash down anything people do anymore. myspace has become a catalyst for many indie type bands to get their music across and in a way is helping get more bands noticed. The more the exposure, the bigger possiblity that big name labels notice and sign these underdog bands. Band exposure is probably one of the best reasons (amid the few) that I enjoy myspace.com.

[KenBOH]

ZeRaTuL HeLiOs wrote:

Metallica should be hopping on the bandwagon soon.

whys that? theres a massive difference between myspace and napster

in conclusion, universal are pathetic.

[Draken]

Ah copyright laws are a bunch of crap. I think music sharing should be legalised. If a person is a real musician it should never be about the money.

[jamstation]

Partyboy2k05 wrote:

Hmm...guess they better start on youtube too then. You can put songs and video on your page, but it's not like you can save it and half the time it doesn't even work.

Actually, there's a pretty simple way to download youtube videos
Ask around the forums..

[Klayy]

crap
sharing music will always exist
If producing drugs and distributing them is possible, then stopping people from getting something abstract is impossible. Make CDs cheaper and I won't download another mp3

[Partyboy2k05]

I was just referring to myspace jamstation about the saving it, could work for both though. If I ever feel motivated to take up the space on my computer, I might actually consider downloading the videos, but as long as they can just be on the net, no sense in doing that.

[DopeDanny]

Weybl Himself wrote:

ZeRaTuL HeLiOs wrote:

Metallica should be hopping on the bandwagon soon.


With a whopping score of zero on the originality-O-meter, you lose.

But seriously, what a crock. People putting music on their myspace pages is no different to web-based radio or even regular radio. It's really extra coverage for the artists. No indie label would ever dream of sueing myspace because they realise how good a promo tool it is. It's just the majors that get their collective panties in a twist.

Exactly man.There bitchin cause of this shit cause there not gettin more money already in their fat pockets!its like the south park episode all the richies bitchin about "losing money"

[LaLaLaLoopy]

I guess I can see it becoming a huge problem if not kept in check kinda like the napster situation.

ZeRaTuL HeLiOs wrote:

Metallica should be hopping on the bandwagon soon.

As for the Metallica comment, theyre getting a little old, god bless em and all the other musicians who stood up for their lively hood and how can any serious musician think other wise...pay for your music you cheap fuk'rs

[ohmerrymayhem]

Wow - you'd have thought that the industry learned their lesson with downloading and leave this kind of harlmess shit alone. Besides, I wasn't aware that these companies were selling music videos to us consumers. Since they're not really sellin 'em, how can we be stealing them? Oh, and as for the Metallica comment back at the Metallica comment - How can any serious musician think otherwise? Because you're supposed to make music for the love of making it and to have it heard and enjoyed by other people. If you make money, great - but that's not why a real musician does it. Secondly - Maybe people would pay for their music if they weren't paying 20 bucks for something that costs about a dollar to make. Where's the justice in that? Thirdly - Metallica "standing up for their livelihood" - Give me a break - those guys were so filthy ****ing rich when napster broke that it wouldn't have mattered if they never sold another unit again. Fourthly - any real musician, who's been in the field, knows that your revenue comes mainly from touring - eg. ticket sales and merch sales - get it right before you come on here and run off at the mouth about how bad they've got it cause they didn't sell a couple of albums to the fans that made them what they are.

[##_Guitar-newb]

home to recording artists such as U2, The Killers and Kanye West.

Why do Universal care then? every video on myspace is of panic! at the disco and such.

[soadlp02]

I hope Universal wins because I believe that Myspace is slowly causing the downfall of society. It is evil and this might be a way to hinder the oncoming doom.

[mercedesisbenz]

soadlp02 wrote:

I hope Universal wins because I believe that Myspace is slowly causing the downfall of society. It is evil and this might be a way to hinder the oncoming doom.

myspace is run by fox, so anything universal does won't touch myspace. Myspace is really pretty worthless.

[Ahlihsah]

KenBOH wrote:

ZeRaTuL HeLiOs wrote:

Metallica should be hopping on the bandwagon soon.


whys that? theres a massive difference between myspace and napster

in conclusion, universal are pathetic.

Apparently you missed the joke. Yet honestly, originality or not, I'm surprised Lars has yet to prey on MySpace. (Most likely because they're on there... In that case would it make him a hypocrite ?)

I agree, though. It's bullshit.

[wfro_07]

this is such utter bullshit! i am so sick and tiered of these mutimillion dollar companies wasting so much monie on these stupid little things, instead of using it to look for even better and more talented artists. you are still making your millions while we are still sharing music!

[thirdeyepried]

How about the record companies put out something worth spending money on. There's only a handful of bands who's albums I'll pay for anymore. $15 bucks for two good songs isn't worth it.

[fiftysteps]

Bands set up their Myspace's in efforts to get themselves known. They know they aren't getting paid for the music but it's the price for free advertisement. Universal have no chance in this arguement, and it's really just a sad effort.

[fiftysteps]

soadlp02 wrote:

I hope Universal wins because I believe that Myspace is slowly causing the downfall of society. It is evil and this might be a way to hinder the oncoming doom.

Lmao, you'r right about that though.

[axe_man]

bet u my space causes lik loads of sexual assaults every year. I agree my space is causing society to colapse it encourages virtual lives even more stopping people from actually getting a life. loosers!

[##_Guitar-newb]

Good job we have this internet forum then....thank god we already have lives. ^^^

[Tim_Orme_Esq]

they've only just noticed...?

Checked.

[3l3phant]

fiftysteps wrote:

soadlp02 wrote:

I hope Universal wins because I believe that Myspace is slowly causing the downfall of society. It is evil and this might be a way to hinder the oncoming doom.



Lmao, you'r right about that though.

absolutely right, 100% agreed. the day i saw my little 11 year old brother with a myspace was the day i knew it had gone too far.

[Muddy_Banks]

props to myspace.

cant stand myspace, but to anything that can cuase those companies to be afraid for the money i will appluase.

i guess some kid won't be able to get an island for Christmas, becuase of the music thiefs.

[Eddy Hitler]

Weybl Himself wrote:

ZeRaTuL HeLiOs wrote:

Metallica should be hopping on the bandwagon soon.

With a whopping score of zero on the originality-O-meter, you lose.

But seriously, what a crock. People putting music on their myspace pages is no different to web-based radio or even regular radio. It's really extra coverage for the artists. No indie label would ever dream of sueing myspace because they realise how good a promo tool it is. It's just the majors that get their collective panties in a twist.

i agree with u there. people arent stealing the music or anything. just sharing it with other people. maybe the download thing is a bit too far tho, but u cant even download the whole albums, just like 5 songs, from 5 different albums(depending on artists)

[Adamantium]

dude, universal is huge, it's got the badass amount of money to pay for the badass lawyers, to take on a website that's made a badass amount of money itself. they're doin it because they're greedy little sh*ts who try to squeeze every penny out of every time a song of theirs is played... when they're already a multi-billion-aire company. god, this world is goin to sh*t.

[valdemar 17]

jesus christ, THEY STILL DONT GET IT!!!!! they have never made much money off cd sales, its just a promo tool, and this is helping, touring is where the cash is.

[Jaffaps2]

I can see Lars Ulrich gritting his teeth in preparation for battle now.

Not only is this ridiculous, as songs on myspace are the same as hearing them on the radio...the idea is to go out and buy the album after hearing what a band has to offer, but the bands themselves put the songs up there, how on earth can anyone apart from those who are GREEDY and evil have a problem with the current situation?

[006deluxe]

it all depends on how big the band is. alot of labels are cutting in on the money that bands make from touring. there is also a little thing called recoupment. when a band signs a deal, they get an advance. this is used to cover the cost of recording and living until they get their album out. once they release a record, they owe the label that the money gave them back. so if cd sales are low and the band doesnt recoup, the band OWES the label that money. there are also clauses that say that if the band doesnt recoup, the label can cut into revenue that the band is making from touring and merch. so cd sales directly affect touring revenue. so buy the damn cds.

[Chickenfrmheck]

why the hell?
o ill shut up about that,
but its a good thing ug is based in russia
i would have to kill some people if they closed it down, i have skill nowhere even close to the awesome tabbers on this site

[006deluxe]

Jaffaps2 wrote:

I can see Lars Ulrich gritting his teeth in preparation for battle now.

Not only is this ridiculous, as songs on myspace are the same as hearing them on the radio...the idea is to go out and buy the album after hearing what a band has to offer, but the bands themselves put the songs up there, how on earth can anyone apart from those who are GREEDY and evil have a problem with the current situation?

its not the same, seeing as how you can go and listen whenever you want, although i dont have a problem with that. and without knowing exactly how the bands myspace accounts work, i.e. if the label has people administering them or if the band even has permission, you cant really make a judgement on if the band has a LEGAL right to put the song up there. as screwed up as it sounds, most bands DO NOT own the masters to their recordings or the rights to their publishing. so unfortunately, the label has a legal right to control the bands own myspace page.

[*kill'emall*]

You can't fight technology. Music sharing will always be around; get used to it.

[hoobariffer87]

Draken wrote:

Ah copyright laws are a bunch of crap. I think music sharing should be legalised. If a person is a real musician it should never be about the money.

True, but record companies are all about the money. Musicians usually aren't the ones doing the suing, and in some cases have posted instructions on their personal sites on how to circumvent the copy protection their labels are putting on their CD's.

[vandal_12]

Draken wrote:

Ah copyright laws are a bunch of crap. I think music sharing should be legalised.If a person is a real musician it should never be about the money.

Couldn't agree more.

[Paroxysm]

Hope MySpace win this one.

[barenakedlad]

Once again, the recording industry seals its own fate. They've gotta wake up and realize that they are only hurting themselves by suing.

[ready4thebreak]

these record labels take the shi+ myspace has done for them for granted. if anything the labels owe myspace for the unmeasurable amount of revenue they've made for them. Tours wouldnt be anywhere near as successful as they have been unless it was for myspace.

[Guitar_Dude777]

Haha universal is so Wrong.....even when you put your own song on myspace for your band it even asks if this is your own material and warns you not to put on anything else

[screen21]

MUSICIANS THEMSELVES post their music! What a bunch of pussies! artists dont ever complain that their stuff is on myspace better yet they want it there.

[mtl's_god]

I think that if an artist doesn't want their music on myspace then they should get myspace to block any pages that have names involving anythign to do with the band.

Checked.

[MegaRon]

Everybody blames MySpace...

[hobo467]

This just proves why MySpace sucks... I prefer Purevolume, even if it is more limited.

[MTVget0FFtheAIR]

awesome, hopefully myspace is shutdown

[dittohead128]

bet u my space causes lik loads of sexual assaults every year. I agree my space is causing society to colapse it encourages virtual lives even more stopping people from actually getting a life. loosers!

myspace is a good way of communication, its the people who use it that have ****ed it up and made it there life, its not myspaces fault its humanity's

[clazz]

Erm, don't Universal run their bands' MySpaces? It's good promotion, why the hell are they suing?

[LaLaLaLoopy]

ohmerrymayhem wrote:

Wow - you'd have thought that the industry learned their lesson with downloading and leave this kind of harlmess shit alone. Besides, I wasn't aware that these companies were selling music videos to us consumers. Since they're not really sellin 'em, how can we be stealing them? Oh, and as for the Metallica comment back at the Metallica comment - How can any serious musician think otherwise? Because you're supposed to make music for the love of making it and to have it heard and enjoyed by other people. If you make money, great - but that's not why a real musician does it. Secondly - Maybe people would pay for their music if they weren't paying 20 bucks for something that costs about a dollar to make. Where's the justice in that? Thirdly - Metallica "standing up for their livelihood" - Give me a break - those guys were so filthy ****ing rich when napster broke that it wouldn't have mattered if they never sold another unit again. Fourthly - any real musician, who's been in the field, knows that your revenue comes mainly from touring - eg. ticket sales and merch sales - get it right before you come on here and run off at the mouth about how bad they've got it cause they didn't sell a couple of albums to the fans that made them what they are.

Oh my god,...make music for the love of music, blah,blah blah, spoken like someone that has'nt made a dime, sure, in the beginning but when you actually start to make money it does become a buziness..secondly, do you think the bands get the 20 bucks, lucky if they make a dollar off every album sold...sell a million copies,band gets a buck an album, split 4/5 ways, still not too bad right? but hey! your hit was downloaded 4 million times...you just lost out big time.thirdly- Ya Metallica is stinkin rich, they didnt have to worry about being ripped off by "the fans" for the first 10/12 yrs of their career,do you not think the young/new bands who only get that 1 hit/1 album then fall off the radar will benefit,cuz its not just about Metallica,Sting or Annie Lennox....Fourth...Ya musicians make money from tix and merch sales if your the headliner,How many times have you gone to a concert and came back with the opening act T-Shirt...so I wasnt running my mouth off, I was looking at it from a struggling artists point of view not Metallica's....now with that being said, pay for your music you cheap fuk'rs

[tsipis77]

ZeRaTuL HeLiOs wrote:

Metallica should be hopping on the bandwagon soon.

omg....shut up. thats really not funny, and off topic. And i just want to make it clear, EVERYONE on this website would've done the EXACT same thing as lars did. and dont say u wouldnt of....cuz u KNOW u would've.

[Night_Lights]

back in the day, when record companies cared solely about music and not the money....


oh wait, this is reality. shit!

[barenakedlad]

Night_Lights wrote:

back in the day, when record companies cared solely about music and not the money....


oh wait, this is reality. shit!

Yeah, welcome to a time when all the record companies care about is their bottom line.

[g00fy_130]

That's it!!! I'm sueing my Mom for having pictures of up around her house! How dare she have reproductions of me without my permission!

[steady666]

tsipis77 wrote:

ZeRaTuL HeLiOs wrote:

Metallica should be hopping on the bandwagon soon.


omg....shut up. thats really not funny, and off topic. And i just want to make it clear, EVERYONE on this website would've done the EXACT same thing as lars did. and dont say u wouldnt of....cuz u KNOW u would've.

How dare you generalize. Only cheap people like you would do what Lar$ did. If you were truly about the music, like me, you would hate Lar$ for being the soul reason a great band has become an embarrassment to heavy metal.

As for myspace... meh blow me universal.

[drummerdude92]

universal sucks being a musician is aout playing music, and these guys might not have enough money now to buy four custom jets for christmas

[Danis1]

what im getting very scared of is the soon to be crack down on GUITAR tabs sites (actually some sites have been sued already). What makes it all the more frustrating is that record companies want to crack down on tabs, who the hell is going play music in the future then and makes these Bastards rich? Sure you can argue that if you really want to learn to play you can transcribe the song yourself, but for some people (beginners) that is not a possibility. Also you might say that you could just buy the tabs book, but who wants to shell out $50 on a book every second day? Besides, its not like every song has a legal tab aye? I dont know how but i really want to do something about this. On topic though, i think Universal are really pathetic for sueing myspace, good job you capitalist animals.

[evil_armada1]

soadlp02 wrote:

I hope Universal wins because I believe that Myspace is slowly causing the downfall of society. It is evil and this might be a way to hinder the oncoming doom.

yeah but its the best way to promote new bands

[LucasGtrGod]

Danis1 wrote:

what im getting very scared of is the soon to be crack down on GUITAR tabs sites (actually some sites have been sued already). What makes it all the more frustrating is that record companies want to crack down on tabs, who the hell is going play music in the future then and makes these Bastards rich? Sure you can argue that if you really want to learn to play you can transcribe the song yourself, but for some people (beginners) that is not a possibility. Also you might say that you could just buy the tabs book, but who wants to shell out $50 on a book every second day? Besides, its not like every song has a legal tab aye? I dont know how but i really want to do something about this. On topic though, i think Universal are really pathetic for sueing myspace, good job you capitalist animals.

Um that's already happened, nearly all of the tab sites have been closed down.

[vanceboy]

Is there any way to send my concerns to Universal on how they are being a bunch of greed capitalist douchebags that need to the dildos out of their asses? seriously, myspace is helping so much more than hurting the music industry...

checked/deleted

Hammett5 warned for abuse and off topic discussion

[Revalk]

It's not like you can download the music. You can simply listen to it at that location, and that location only. A large majority of bands allow you to do this on their website's anyways. There is no way a band will lose money on this in album sales, because people simply want to hear songs more then when they happen to be on a couple random myspace profiles, and hence, will decide to buy it (if they so choose).

[Idiot_Son]

its quite funny that UMG are wasting money sueing MySpace, so they can avoid losing a fraction of what this court-case is going to cost, especially when they lose. and the majority of the stuff on their is posted by the bands. Besides, the vast majority of "illegal downloads" are done by people who want to see if the album is worth buying. Who wants to shell out their hard earned (or bludged) cash to buy a cd, only to find its nothing but pretentious bullshit (*cough*cough*U2 and The Killers*cough*)? It's not like you can get an appreciation for a song by listening to it on a listening station with broken headphones and a volume level that is permanently stuck on -1, and being restricted to 5 minutes listening to an entire album. If bands are going to release albums with only one or two listenable songs, its no wonder that people aren't going to buy it, and instead download the good songs.

[Idiot_Son]

my point was actually to say that they show the figures of how many downloads, but they don't show how many record sales are generated by those downloads. more people download to "try before you buy" than because they can't be bothered paying. And it is true to say that if cd's cost less, more people would buy them. Most Record stores barely break even because they can't mark the prices up because they are already so high, and when they have sale bins, they have already paid the record company, and are trying to recoup their losses the best they can.

[fifthhorseman54]

Draken wrote:

Ah copyright laws are a bunch of crap. I think music sharing should be legalised. If a person is a real musician it should never be about the money.

It's not about the artist getting his/her money, it's about the record company getting their dues. This industry is run by them, not the artists.

[Uber-rocker]

As long as I can keep my Turbonegro song on my mySpace... check it out http://www.myspace.com/not_the_worst_guitarist

[xDEADMANx]

Why is it okay for record companies to have big announcements with "so and so's new album streamed in it's entirety..." or for the artists themselves to post their music on Myspace? Anyone who knows what they're doing can use this to render a perfect CD quality recording in a matter of minutes. I honestly can't see how some of these bands (I understand not all of them may have a say in the matter contractually)but bands like Craptallica and U2 who pretty much never have to produce an album ever again and would STILL live comfortably can condone this sh*t. I've noticed it's a lot of bands like the two mentioned and say-Linkin Park, System of a Down, Green Day etc.- who started as one thing, got huge and then not only got too big for their own good but started to suck really bad as well that are involved in these lawsuits. God I remember when I became a musician it was about the music not the money. Sad...

[keen]

myspace.com's fall would make me happy beyond happy. I can't do research and study in any sort of public or college library for all the losers on myspace 8 hours a day. GO UNIVERSAL!

[xDEADMANx]

Livelihood? They were already a corporation when the Napster thing happened otherwise they wouldn't have had the pull to do what they did!! Watching the documentary with Lars auctioning off his pantings and being a drunken wank was more proof. If your band DOESN'T have a guest starring role on The Simpsons then you might have a stake in this, but if like Dave Matthews you actually have enough money and influence to dictate who can sell your AUTOGRAPH on E-BAY... get over it.

LaLaLaLoopy wrote:

I guess I can see it becoming a huge problem if not kept in check kinda like the napster situation.ZeRaTuL HeLiOs wrote:

Metallica should be hopping on the bandwagon soon.

As for the Metallica comment, theyre getting a little old, god bless em and all the other musicians who stood up for their lively hood and how can any serious musician think other wise...pay for your music you cheap fuk'rs

[xDEADMANx]

soadlp02 wrote:

I hope Universal wins because I believe that Myspace is slowly causing the downfall of society. It is evil and this might be a way to hinder the oncoming doom.

And the regulation of what people listen to and watch in their spare time and how they do it is okay? Especially when it has nothing to do with the government and it revolves around money? Although I'm sure you're not totally serious about the "downfall of society" thing that's still a really scary statement and I HOPE you're smart enough to further than that...

[keen]

Downfall of society.. that isn't a stretch. As much time people spend on that damned site. If they spent half the time doing something productive as they did on that site... it would cause like a sort of great awakening as opposed to a downfall of society. Nobody gets good at guitar... or anything else by being on myspace all the freakin time.

[xDEADMANx]

keen wrote:

Downfall of society.. that isn't a stretch. As much time people spend on that damned site. If they spent half the time doing something productive as they did on that site... it would cause like a sort of great awakening as opposed to a downfall of society. Nobody gets good at guitar... or anything else by being on myspace all the freakin time.

Are you serious? A bit melodramatic I think but if that's the scenario you prefer okay, look at it this way: How would you feel if your studying was hindered by the fact that those same library books were censored or edited because of who owned the rights to what and not because someone was in the corner exercising personal freedom? In essence you'd be getting TOLD what to study...It's not about guitar tabs and "losers" on Myspace it's about having the right to be involved in either without worrying about who's watching. Funny how life is starting to imitate artistic works like 1984 or Fahrenheit 451, truly creative artist are scarce and those who are don't have the right be so anymore...

[Cheesepuff]

life is starting to imitate artistic works like 1984

Yeah that's creeping me out. USA is starting to be like Oceania without the dictatorship... for now(wait until 2008 when GW will declare marshall law, I can feel it!).

[ohmerrymayhem]

LaLaLaLoopy wrote:

ohmerrymayhem wrote:

Wow - you'd have thought that the industry learned their lesson with downloading and leave this kind of harlmess shit alone. Besides, I wasn't aware that these companies were selling music videos to us consumers. Since they're not really sellin 'em, how can we be stealing them? Oh, and as for the Metallica comment back at the Metallica comment - How can any serious musician think otherwise? Because you're supposed to make music for the love of making it and to have it heard and enjoyed by other people. If you make money, great - but that's not why a real musician does it. Secondly - Maybe people would pay for their music if they weren't paying 20 bucks for something that costs about a dollar to make. Where's the justice in that? Thirdly - Metallica "standing up for their livelihood" - Give me a break - those guys were so filthy ****ing rich when napster broke that it wouldn't have mattered if they never sold another unit again. Fourthly - any real musician, who's been in the field, knows that your revenue comes mainly from touring - eg. ticket sales and merch sales - get it right before you come on here and run off at the mouth about how bad they've got it cause they didn't sell a couple of albums to the fans that made them what they are.


Oh my god,...make music for the love of music, blah,blah blah, spoken like someone that has'nt made a dime, sure, in the beginning but when you actually start to make money it does become a buziness..secondly, do you think the bands get the 20 bucks, lucky if they make a dollar off every album sold...sell a million copies,band gets a buck an album, split 4/5 ways, still not too bad right? but hey! your hit was downloaded 4 million times...you just lost out big time.thirdly- Ya Metallica is stinkin rich, they didnt have to worry about being ripped off by "the fans" for the first 10/12 yrs of their career,do you not think the young/new bands who only get that 1 hit/1 album then fall off the radar will benefit,cuz its not just about Metallica,Sting or Annie Lennox....Fourth...Ya musicians make money from tix and merch sales if your the headliner,How many times have you gone to a concert and came back with the opening act T-Shirt...so I wasnt running my mouth off, I was looking at it from a struggling artists point of view not Metallica's....now with that being said, pay for your music you cheap fuk'rs

I am a struggling artist doing exactly what I said I was doing, and making some cash as well - So maybe assuming things about people of whom you have no clue is a bad idea for someone like you. I grew up in studios and at gigs, backstage and in front of people layin tracks into the night, pal. I grew up on the road, and have more experience in the industry in the tip of my finger than you've got in your entire body, so don't patronize me. Maybe you should re-evaluate why you do what you do before it becomes just like any other lame job you've had in the past and your music, which I'm sure is a gem already, suffers for it. OH, and I pick up some merch EVERY time I go to a show for that specific reason.

[ohmerrymayhem]

Cheesepuff wrote:

life is starting to imitate artistic works like 1984

Yeah that's creeping me out. USA is starting to be like Oceania without the dictatorship... for now(wait until 2008 when GW will declare marshall law, I can feel it!).

All b.s. aside, THIS here ^ is the point. Land of the free eh?

[xXbleed4meXx]

Myspace blows anyway, I hope Universal sucks all their money out their ass.

[olliehall]

screw u man, metallica rule all

Boll

[akira3419]

To all those people saying it shouldn't be about the money, um what would you like these musicians to do say in the meantime to make money to pay for oh I dunno...everything!
Jesus, saying they shouldn't be worried about the money in their current job, is like saying they should have another job. Or that you shouldn't worry that McDonald's pays $5 an hour in one place but $10 in another....they still have bills.
Why are fans of illegal downloading so unrealistic.
CDs directly affect (not effect) the income of the musicians. no aruging that at all.

but to get on topic which most people lost,
Universal should shut up...
Myspace isn't illegaly downloading anything.
The artists who make the page choose to let the things downloadable.
As for the videos...its OTHER websites that host the videos and allow pasting into Myspace code.
ridiculous lawsuits.

[ohmerrymayhem]

Funny - you guys all think it's impossible to be a professional giggin musician without worrying about money - I do it, every day, without concern for money. And guess what? I can pay all my bills - when money's short from my music, I can grab some stray work, just like all of you could, but won't, becuase most people are lazy. If you want a way bad enough, you'll either make or find one - and that bullshit about that not being possible doesn't hold water, because as I've said, I do it daily.

[emo blows27]

hopefully myspace gets SHUT DOWN, its sad knowing 40 yr old pervs look at 14 year old girls on that place

[jamus_dood]

Have they ever heard of Youtube????

[musicmydrug16]

all people do now is bitch...ughh i hate it

[Scourge441]

Umm, I could have sworn Universal sued Myspace months ago. This isn't news. It's old.

On the topic of the actual article, MySpace makes it clear that uploading other people's music onto the site is illegal, so MySpace is in the clear. If the video thing is the problem, then they should be going after YouTube (although msot artists don't care if their videos are on YouTube).

hopefully myspace gets SHUT DOWN, its sad knowing 40 yr old pervs look at 14 year old girls on that place

40 year old pervs had no trouble finding 14 year old girls before MySpace. Shutting down the website won't fix the problem.

[SlashNX]

Weybl Himself wrote:

ZeRaTuL HeLiOs wrote:

Metallica should be hopping on the bandwagon soon.


With a whopping score of zero on the originality-O-meter, you lose.

But seriously, what a crock. People putting music on their myspace pages is no different to web-based radio or even regular radio. It's really extra coverage for the artists. No indie label would ever dream of sueing myspace because they realise how good a promo tool it is. It's just the majors that get their collective panties in a twist.

You do know that radios pay royalties for those songs rite?
Still, Universal ia being a winey bitch!