[OT] Are DJs now all criminals ?

As you might know,well known mixer DJ Drama was arrested and charged under a racketeering charge for distribution of "unlicensed music".I know that this a grey area of the law in the USA,some would claim that mixing is a artistic expression of other's work and that it does not violate copyright laws.

I don't want to get in to the legal and/or moral side of a large scale distribution as in this case but I do wonder about those DJs that spin and mix in public places,could they be next ? is the USA going to go the way as in the UK(I believe you need a public performance license there,is that correct ?)

Is simply posting your mix on your blogsite or pod cast going to have the RIAA and the FBI knocking at your door,or in the case of DJ Drama a full SWAT operation,this is a alleged quote of one of the SWAT officers

''A police officer comments that "In this case, we didn't find drugs and weapons, but it's not uncommon for us to find other sorts of contraband when we execute a search warrant." Like every DJ and/or music artist is in to drugs and guns(who told ? )

Just curious about your thoughts on this development

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/arts/music/18dram.html?_r=1&oref=slogin


http://www.techliberation.com/archives/041766.php


http://techdirt.com/articles/20070117/163531.shtml

 

OK but if you try and legitimize or equate DJ Dramas sale of pirated albums by comparing it to mixtapes then you'll find the audience is not going to be receptive I suspect.

Phil

 

If you're asking if we DJs are breaking the letter of the law by distributing music we don't own the rights for, then yes, we ARE criminals. It is ILLEGAL to distribute music, even if you're doing it for free, if you don't pay ASCAP/BMI/SESAC.

BUT it's tolerated, in much the same way that cops tolerate you doing 5 MPH over the posted speed limit. Drama & Co. were distributing THOUSANDS of CDs. They were flagrant in their actions.

 

It is illegal to distribute music recorded by members of those organizations. Not to distribute music. Non-signees are practically the definition of "indie" label.

 

Of course, but no one wants a mixtape of unsigned artists. It's not like the EDM scene. The kind of mixtapes Drama was known for contained exclusive original content (IE not on any album) from many established and up-and-coming rappers. That's what made them popular. But they also used loops and songs that they obviously DIDN'T have the rights to use. ALL artists involved were signed to major labels.

 

i stumbled over this sentence as well. what a moron.