Freelance Propaganda

Bad iTunes Bad (for artists)

Here’s a magnificantly produced piece of propaganda that reads iTunes Music Store as a sell-out of the potential of internet music distrbution to the existing major record labels…

Now by calling it propaganda I’m bestowing a great compliment—-far be it from me to use that word in a negative connotation!

So why does iTunes give artists such a raw deal? Because it’s the exact same deal that artists have always gotten from the big five record companies. Despite huge new efficiencies created by internet distribution —no CDs to make, no distributors to store and ship them, no CD stores to build and run— artists receive the same pathetic cut. That is the disaster of iTunes. Instead of using this new medium to empower musicians and their fans, it helps the record industry cartel perpetuate the exploitation. Apple might say it’s not their fault: after all, they didn’t write the unfair record contracts. But when Apple supports and profits from an obviously unfair system, while telling customers that it’s “fair to artists”, they are just as guilty. For years, Apple Computer has built a reputation for straightforward business. So If Apple honestly believes that the iTunes system is fair for artists, we challenge them to display the artist’s cut next to each song and let their customers decide:



If the artist’s cut were clearly visible, more people would want to buy music from independent labels, which give musicians a bigger share of each sale. Apple should make the Music Store open and transparent, so that customer choice can push major labels to do better. The major label mess was built on secrecy; when people can finally see how it works, it will have to change.

I like it. When can I get the iTunes Plug-in. Also check out RIAA Radar—-look up and album to see which label released it … Posted by james at September 30, 2003 02:27 AM | TrackBack