Canadian Record Label To Pay For Teen's Lawsuit Against The RIAA

from the nice-work dept

One of the big lies from the RIAA during the last few years is how the only reason they're suing people is to "protect the artist." It's pretty clear that they're really just protecting their own business model -- which often involves screwing over the artist. In fact, a few years ago, some musicians were thinking of suing the record labels for not getting any of the money the RIAA was getting from these lawsuits. If it was really about "protecting the artist" then shouldn't some of that money be flowing to the artists? Well, now it appears that one Canadian record label is fed up with the RIAA. After receiving a letter from a fan of one of its artists who is being sued, the label, Nettwerk Music Group, has agreed to handle her fight against the RIAA. Yes, you read that right. A music label will be fighting on behalf of a teenager in her lawsuit against the RIAA. The label's CEO is quoted as saying: "Litigation is not 'artist development.' Litigation is a deterrent to creativity and passion and it is hurting the business I love. The current actions of the RIAA are not in my artists' best interests." While, in some ways, this is partly a publicity stunt for the label -- it certainly does show that the RIAA does not speak for the entire music industry, and that's a good thing.
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  • identicon
    Garfiode, 26 Jan 2006 @ 9:18pm

    No Subject Given

    Finaly a record labal that has recignized the right course of action.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Mousky, 26 Jan 2006 @ 9:21pm

    Not Surprised

    Most independent record labels in Canada despise both the RIAA and the CRIA since both associations represent multi-national entertainment corporations. In Canada, independent labels are represented by the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA).

    Visit the RIAA and CRIA websites, then vist the CIRPA website. See any glaring differences? Anti-piracy and legal/illegal text dominates the RIAA and CRIA sites. On the CIRPA site, there is a small link under News about Peer-to-Peer settlements. That is it. No scaring customers. Just plain talk about who they are and what they do. How refreshing.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Alex, 26 Jan 2006 @ 9:35pm

      Re: Not Surprised

      It was only a matter of time. Would have been nice if the RIAA was sued more, though.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Erik, 27 Jan 2006 @ 10:01am

      Re: Not Surprised

      If you had any contact with Nettwork you'd see how great a company they are. My friend works there and they have always been a fantastic employer who care about the industry, employees and customers. They realize that you can't fight the tide. You have to work with it.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Enrique, 27 Jan 2006 @ 12:03am

    No Subject Given

    thanks to god the corporativewise behaior of those money grubbing freaks has some resistance. I wish I could have a basis to sue them too. Sadly that is the way things work not only in music, but in everything else that carries money and power. Way to go for the canadian label!!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Jan 2006 @ 1:35am

    No Subject Given

    Is it at all possible to propose marriage to a record label?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jerry, 27 Jan 2006 @ 3:47am

    Huh!

    Imagine that!
    A politician that is worried about being deaf.
    What's next?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      nullsmack, 27 Jan 2006 @ 6:24am

      Re: Huh!

      Really! Next thing you know someone will post a comment in response to one article in a completely different one!

      What is this world coming to?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Stephen Tillman (profile), 27 Jan 2006 @ 8:47am

    Booyah!

    boo-freakin-yah. I hope that the fan truly enjoys the vidication once it's settled. Now I'll have a smile on my face for the day.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    haggie, 27 Jan 2006 @ 9:39am

    No Subject Given

    Support Nettwerk Music Group artists...

    Barenaked Ladies
    Billy Talent
    Brand New
    Butterfly Boucher
    The Devlins
    Dido
    Susan Enan
    Fear of Music
    The Format
    Gob
    Guster
    Hem
    Griffin House
    Ina
    Jars of Clay
    Chantal Kreviazuk
    The LeeVees
    Leigh Nash
    Kristian Leontiou
    Toby Lightman
    Matt Wertz
    Melissa McClelland
    MC Lars
    Sarah McLachlan
    Men Women & Children
    Nathan
    Pezz (early Billy Talent)
    Steven Page
    The Perishers
    Adrienne Pierce
    Robert Post
    Josh Rouse
    State Radio
    Sixpence None The Richer
    Stereophonics
    Sum 41

    link to this | view in chronology ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.