Open letter to Featured Artists’ Coalition
Dear (please see below):
The chances of Britain’s Labour government retaining power in the upcoming elections are zero. It tries to present itself as forward-looking and progressive, but its continuing efforts to promote corporate entertainment industry interests above those of the people plainly demonstrate it has no clue about what’s happening in the digital 21st century, or how to function within it.
Your members, as well as artists from around the world, must make it clear to your fans, the people who keep you going, that you absolutely will not countenance the government-backed corporate Three Strikes scheme to turn them into criminals.
The inaugural meeting of the U.K.`s Featured Artists` Coalition (FAC) in London resulted in a unanimous vote among its members against any measures that criminalize file-sharing, said Billboard in March, going on »»»
As well as discussing the general aims and logistics of the new body, there was also a unanimous show of hands against the idea of criminalizing file-sharers, according to those present.
There was concern about any legal body taking action against fans who were involved in file-sharing and preventing them getting broadband access to be informed about the activities of their favorite acts.
Today, still quoting Billboard, I posted on a2f2.com which, not at all incidentally, is short for artists-to-fans-to-artists »»»
The issue came up as artists discussed a planned response to the forthcoming Digital Britain report, the interim version of which has proposed a Rights Agency to enforce anti-piracy measures. In France, legislation is being debated to bring in a three-strikes system to potentially cut off broadband connections for those who infringe copyright a measure to which the FAC is opposed.
Then, six months later, from the FAC »»»
Our meeting … voted overwhelmingly to support a three-strike sanction on those who persistently download illegal files, sanctions to consist of a warning letter, a stronger warning letter and a final sanction of the restriction of the infringer`s bandwidth to a level which would render file-sharing of media files impractical while leaving basic email and web access functional.
What an about-face.
All of the attention is presently on Britain but, as I’ve said many times before, the Three Strikes plan is international with Vivendi Universal, EMI, Warner Music and Sony Music, and Disney, News Corp, Time Warner, Viacom, NBC Universal and Sony Pictures, trying to foist it on governments around the world.
I believe artists — the FAC in particular — must come out firmly and definitely against the Three Strikes farce.
So please, hold another emergency meeting and this time, return to your original position.
It`ll take cojones, but it`ll be the strategically and tactically smart thing to do.
Even if it`s adopted, three strikes won`t last. Anywhere. It can`t.
And the backlash against anyone who supports it will be enormous.
We love you. But do you love us?
Show us you do.
Jon Newton – music fan
______________________________________________
Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane)
Jamie Turner
Adriano Buffone (Raygun)
Allan Bradbury
Helienne Lindvall
Tony Crean
Andrew Laidlaw (Luck Soul)
Isard Haasakker
Tony Morrelli (The Fire Escapes)
Jean-Baptiste Pilon (The Fire Escapes)
Mark Headley (The Fire Escapes)
Hal Ritson (The Young Punx)
Billy Bragg
Ben Ward
Karl Harrison
Howard Jones
Tjinder Singh (Cornershop)
Phil Simpson
Atheen
Steve Jones
John Reynolds
Sandie Shaw (via phone)
David Rowntree (Blur)
Ed O’Brien (Radiohead)
Alan Sharland (The Hoosiers)
Martin Skarendahl (The Hoosiers)
Steven Hogarth (Marillion)
Mark Kelly (Marillion)
Guy Chambers
Patrick Wolf
Sam Duckworth (Get Cape Wear Cape Fly)
Jamie Allen
Toby Sebastian
James Kelly
Beryl Marsden
George Jones
Ross Millard (The Futureheads)
Stax Dempsey
Rona Sentinar
Fran Healy (Travis)
Karl Addy
Nathan Taylor (The Young Punx)
Josh Allegro
Ali Howard (Lucky Soul)
David Arnold
Lucy Pullin (The Fire Escapes)
Annie Lennox (via phone)
Lily Allen (Not a Member of the FAC)
George Michael
Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
Signed After the meeting;
The Music Producers Guild
John B
Claudia Brucken (Propaganda)
Rick Wilde
Zita McHugh
M B Gordy
Mohammed Yahya
Jon Hopkins
Barry Coffing
Vinny Peculiar
David Ravden
Nik Ledgard (Dry Riser)
Matthew Lintott (Dry Riser)
Pete Bembridge (Dry Riser)
Jack Oram (Dry Riser)
Chad Mcloughlin
Gina Langton
Tony Christie
Sean Fitzgerald
Irving David (DWFM Beckman)
Julianne Reagan (All About Eve)
Stuart Ongley (SGO Publishing)
Judy Dyble
Jonas Kroon
Irwin Sparkes (The Hoosiers)
Robbie Williams
Robert Vale
Jerry Vale
David Cloyd
Rob Boyd (The Hillfields)
Sharon Corr
George Sarah
Bob Hansmann
Rich Wilde
Milinda Allen
Dr Robert (The Blow Monkeys)
Dirk Henry (The Kokoon)
Ben Beer (Sealife)
Chris White (Composer)
Producers Managers Group (PMG)
Marco Pirroni
Brian Campbell (Clinic)
Morty Buffham (Manager of UK Heights)
Andrew Kremer (Composer)
Sharon Dean (Respect Music)
Sarah McQuaid
Gary Clark (Artist, songwriter, producer)|
Marc Marot (Manager)
Keith A. Newstead
Blake Morgan (Engine company Records)
Tom Green (’Another Fine Day’)
Neil Preston (MP Records)
John Verity
Bart Schram (Mindgames)
Koen Gisen (An Pierlé & White Velvet)
Darren Hayes (Savage Garden)
Scott Coe (The Haunted Aquarium)
Miranda Dickinson
Noora Noor
Ali Hakimi (Bush Studios)
Colin MacIntyre (Mull Historical Society)
Rik Hudson (Violet Bones)
David Blake (JFXmusic)
Jo Hilditch (Hilda)
Alastair Blackwood (Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Oscar Mancino
Kevin Hewick
Sean Genockey (Music Producer)
Sam Obernik
Patrick Weyland-Smith (Patrick And The Deep End)
Matthew Lee (Lapskin)
Colin Waterson
Simon Emmerson (The Imagined Village)
Helge Krabye (Homeless Balloon)
Terence McLeod
Fiona Branson
Jake Morley
Jon Attwood (Yellow6)
Adam Donen
Matthew Seligman
Alex Callier (Hooverphonic)
James Reynolds (Public Symphony)|
Dobs Vye (Public Symphony)
Benjamin Evans (Deal Maker Records)
Lyndon Coyne (Bandito Records)
Sofia Hagberg (End of the Road Festival)
James Blunt
Findlay Brown
Brad Rabuchin
KT Tunstall
Kelly Dickson (Mamafeelgood)
Curtis Roush (Film Music Producer)
Mark Muggeridge (Journalist and artist manager)
Sandy Dworniak (This Much Talent)
Tom Jones
Amy Studt
Sam Hammond (Ten Bears)
Russell Lewis Warby (William Morris Endeavor Entertainment)
Carlos Ruivo
David Gilmour
Jools Holland
Ulrich Schnauss
Ken Andrew (Middle of the Road)
Joseph Mount (Metronomy)
Luke Soloman (Freaks)
Tom Shore (Britten Sinfonia)
Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys)
Chris Lowe (Pet Shop Boys)
Kirsty Hawkshaw
Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
Jayne Andrews (manager for Judas Priest)
Gill Vance (singer/songwriter)
Simon Reid & Louise Stanners (Reid & Stanners)
James Carrington
Tim McConway (Booger Red/The Lunar Society)
James Mathe (Monasteryo)John (JJ) Johnson
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Billboard – Featured Artists Opposed To Cutting Off File-Sharers, March 12, 2009
November, 2009
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The FAC was formed to give artists a collective voice to campaign for effective laws and regulations, as well as transparent and equitable business practices.
As well as discussing the general aims and logistics of the new body, there was also a near-unanimous show of hands against the idea of criminalizing file-sharers, according to those present. There was concern about any legal body taking action against fans who were involved in file-sharing and preventing them getting broadband access to be informed about the activities of their favorite acts.
The issue came up as artists discussed a planned response to the forthcoming Digital Britain report, the interim version of which has proposed a Rights Agency to enforce anti-piracy measures. In France, legislation is being debated to bring in a three-strikes system to potentially cut off broadband connections for those who infringe copyright – a measure to which the FAC is opposed.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
It is important to recognise that 3-strikes is fundamentally unjust/unethical give that no evidence is required. The victim is simply given two warnings (tipped-off as to what’s about to happen without any way of preventing it) before they are disconnected.
Now there will be some that suggest that 3-strikes should only be used against people who received any money during their infringement, e.g. a DJ, podcaster, e-bayer of an iPod, etc. But, the problem with 3-strikes is that no evidence is required. It doesn’t matter that you can prove you erased your iPod before you sold it. It doesn’t matter that you can prove you only included CC music on your mix CD. It doesn’t matter that you can prove the donation you received was for the previous week’s podcast. NO EVIDENCE is needed to disconnect you. Your evidence of innocence has to wait until after your ISP has disconnected you, after your PC has been confiscated, after your assets have been seized, after you have located a lawyer willing to take on your case, after you have paid your lawyer to demonstrate at a tribunal that you have grounds to plead for an appeal against your disconnection, and then at your appeal your evidence can be presented (if you still have it). Maybe, you will then be reconnected… until the next time.
There is NO SANCTION for 3 strikes, even for suspected terrorists let alone suspected file-sharers. Read the Crucible to get a vague clue as to why incrimination upon suspicion/accusation is such an abomination. If you thought being sued for copyright infringement in court was an injustice, wait until you suffer disconnection at the whim of the MAFIAA. The sad thing is, no-one will notice your anguish because you’ll be disconnected, and as they’ll say “Offline, no-one can hear you whine”.
Better get WiMAX.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
all i can say the isps are going to lose millions in lost revenue from lower. or no bandwith cause you were cut off. also there will be alot of governments losing there seets if there stupid enough to agree with this three strikes rubbish
November 17th, 2009 at 2:13 am
I’m sure most of the artists in the FAC are technologically illiterate and are shooting themselves right in the knee caps with the three strikes proposal bullshit.
November 17th, 2009 at 8:26 am
The sad thing is that lawyers (who’ve had their consciences surgically removed to avoid interfering with their work) think that 3 strikes is doing everyone a favour by avoiding expensive court costs:
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/11/viacoms-top-lawyer-suing-p2p-users-felt-like-terrorism.ars
It’s like “Hey, guys, isn’t this much better? This way you and your family simply lose your Internet connection at our client’s whim. No litigation, legal fees, million dollar fines, or jail terms. And if you try accessing the Internet via your neighbour, we’ll simply disconnect them too. No charges or arrests for aiding and abetting. No RIAA swat team. I think this could be start of a beautiful relationship, don’t you? Have some appreciation for our generosity in supporting this extra-judicial solution that will hurt our bottom line considerably. We’re going to have to go easy expanding our Ferrari collection thanks to this. And don’t worry, disconnections, equipment confiscations, and asset sequestrations won’t start in earnest until all primary jurisdictions have enacted this kinder, gentler, graduated response.
”
Some lawyers are just too kind to their fellow men.
November 18th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Jon, To be fair, this WAS NOT “Unanimous” from all the members of the FAC. I know I didn’t sign it. I know Wet Wet Wet didn’t sign it. There are quite a few other members of the FAC that didn’t sign it. I think it may have been the reaction to Lily Allen’s opinion and the way she had been treated on the web that provoked this feeling amongst the FAC (and to be very honest, the way Lily Allen was treated wasn’t very cool. It was a practice of ‘freedom of speech’ at it’s very worse. Very dangerous and uncalled for. It’s fine to disagree, but, abuse like that isn’t all that cool. I know that even Ryan from Ezee.se would agree with that. Freedom of speech involves some tolerance. Name calling, abuse, libel, etc. That’s not part of ‘freedom of speech’ and if the guys who fought for these rights aren’t turning in their graves, I’d be shocked) This reaction to Lily’s points of view produced this 360 degree reaction from the FAC, because (and I know you agree) before the Lily stunt all happened, the FAC had a completely different game plan.
For example Ed Obrien from Radiohead signing this? Doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense. (come on, the p2p community has praised them for their experiment based upon the ‘free’ music model.) This certainly wasn’t unanimous and from what I’ve read, Billy Bragg is looking into having a chat.
Ok, from my point of view, this is how drastic measures can completely destroy the plot of anything close to ‘net neutrality’ or even attempting to rule out things like the ID system, internet passports and things like 3-strikes. The whole ‘net anonymity’ thing is a serious concern. It’s important to use the rules of journalism in this day and age. Somehow, AP-style has dissapeared on the web and the internet has a ‘tabloid’ attitude. Like, you can completely destroy someone in a few clicks by reporting anything. It’s not right. It’s not cool. It’s not the future. Internauts need to put pressure on the e-liars. End of.
@ Crosbie ” The sad thing is, no-one will notice your anguish because youâll be disconnected, and as theyâll say âOffline, no-one can hear you whineâ.
That’s 100% correct. The only way forward, however, is to present at least ’something’ viable and possible to the government otherwise. One bit of food for thought: We have driving seat corp’s bedding up with government. The ‘labels’ will not be in those driving seats in the future.. however, somebody else are taking their place (and it’s happening rapidly). So, the people’s voice needs to be loud and clear… but, everyone needs to recognize that the future enemy proabably won’t be your creative industries (like RIAA or MPAA) they are now pawns on the chess board (apple has kinda proven that in a silly way by showing them that their (music) industry was relatively incompetent and unable to suss what was happening). Now, the world dominance is getting tighter. just something to think about. Kind of like when the wall came down. That ‘check’ system disappeared and let out another can of worms. Do you see what I’m thinkin’ here?
November 19th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Indiana, if you’re thinking that behind every tin-pot cartel there’s a mega-corporation intent on world domination, well sure, but even Canute must defer to natural law.
The only power even remotely able to match that of corporations and their government is that of the people, i.e. individuals (artists/audiences/fans).
Unfortunately, very few artists seem to be particularly interested in dealing directly with their great unwashed. They’re always seduced into a courtship with their old corporate pay masters. Better the devil you know than the deep blue sea…