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p2pnet news view | P2P | Music:- “In the face of massive consumer [read voters] outrage and objections not only from ISPs, but also from police and intelligence services, British politicians say they’re nonetheless determined to turn the corporate entertainment Three Strikes bidniz plan into UK law,” I said in p2pnet yesterday.

“The plan would have the UK government working as a taxpayer-funded Hollywood and Big Music enforcement agency with ISPs as online copyright police, acting against their own customers.”

I also ran the post in a2f2a.com, the new artists-to-fans-to-artists site recently started by UK singer-activist Billy Bragg and myself.

The name Indiana Gregg won’t be unfamiliar to p2pnet readers. An American singer,  she hit the headlines in a big way,  last year, when her UK representative, Ian Morrow at Britain’s Gr8pop Ltd, took on The Pirate Bay.

She’s also one of the performing artists who’ve signed up to a2f2a.com, whose goal is to help musicians and fans better understand each other; help find a practical and workable system which offers artists fair remuneration in exchange for access to material by fans; and help set the agenda for discussions about the role P2P can play within the emergent digital record industry.

Under the a2f2a.com post on the UK anti-P2P disaster, “It would be nice to see some of these other artists come into it,” said Devil’s Advocate in a comment, adding “Not only would we be getting more input from some fresh voices, but it would take some of the pressure off Billy, who seems to be handling almost every needed ‘artist’ viewpoint right now.”

Says Indiana in a response, “you know @DevilsAvocate, it’s obvious why artists are having difficulty making statements,” going on »»»

In a utopia, everyone would state their opinion and people would rationally evalutate the pros and cons of each person’s arguments. No agendas, no contracts looming over their heads. In reality, artists share their opinions through their art. Through their music, their lyrics, their ‘actions’. In today’s world, not to state the rather obvious, ‘artists’ or at least popular artists are subject to the scrutiny of the press. There is a machine behind it of course. Popular people sell popular stories. Which sells news and well, gossip is somehow a cornerstone of society these days.

So, artists, what do they really think? Does anyone really think they are chasing rainbows?

In my somewhat limited opinion …  and I must confess, it is more than likely a somewhat skewed view,which takes into consideration a definition of ‘artist’ that I have personally made a decision to define. It is not something that a public votes for simply for the sake of aspiritional subjects who regard ’success’ as the ultimate indication of what is deemed either cultural or significant (because the artists that I talk to on a regular basis create out of pure love for their craft and a social responsibilty. Not only do they really truly love music, they actually care about other artists and the world in general be it their perspectives on politics, influencing behaviour, the power of creativity and the healing that manifests itself through art, etc.)

So, my opinion may not represent the general public’s opinion about what true artists might think. However, all the artists I’ve spoken to agree on a very definite level. They require some support financially. They give. People take. I know it’s all fun to say that artists are never truely recognized until they are dead. You know, Picasso did shoot that theory down. But, I digress. Let’s put it simply. No artist wants to recognize this statement from Mandelson. I admire that he recognizes the lack of fans who are willing to pay for music. I believe that a forum like this one could reach parliament. I admire Billy Bragg and also Jon Newton’s willingness to create a forum for this issue.

Well, I’ve seriously digressed. For @DevilsAdvocate. Most artists aren’t willing to risk alienating their fanbase for their opinions. Artists want to be heard. this happens on so many levels. If you are an artist, you will understand. Let’s be very honest, you don’t go into music because you think you’re going to solve global warming, change the world, or solve world hunger. You go into music out of LOVE. That’s it.

I really shouldn’t participate in my first forum and write a huge essay. But, this is exactly what is needed. There really does need to be a bridge to cross this divide between the musicians who have also been put into that ‘riaa box’ and the p2p (which really means anyone who uses facebook, youtube, pirate bay or whatever).

“I have my ideas and opinions,” says Indiana, adding:

“In the meanwhile, I have been privy to hear what the other players plan. Unfortunately, it’s not what most internauts want to hear. As I’ve said before, I don’t think it’s fair, but, it’s bound to happen. It’s only forums like this one [a2f2a] that could potentially create a market driven change. So, MOVE. ”

Stay tuned.

(I hope you don’t mind me quoting your post here in p2pnet, Indiana.)

Jon Newton – p2pnet

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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win ~ Mahatma Gandhi

p2pnet – UK to adopt corporate 3 Strikes plan, October 28, 2009
a2f2a.com -  UK wants corporate 3 Strikes plan, October 28, 2009
took on The Pirate Bay – Indiana Gregg versus The Pirate Bay,  July 5, 2008

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