What’s up with this push to get ISP’s to rat out and shut down their customers who are suspected of illegal filesharing?  The music industry’s version of three strikes and you’re out is just not smart.  How does it make sense to say that if you are suspected of illegal file sharing 3 times, your internet service will be pulled?  What a load of crap!  Let me remind all, I am a copyright protector.  That is what I have done all my career and you will be hard pressed to find someone who believes more vehemently about the rights of songwriters, publishers, artists and labels.  I have fought for creator’s rights while employed by ASCAP, Harry Fox Agency, Universal Music Publishing and as independent counsel so let’s be clear on that…but this is just silly.

And then there is the campaign of misinformation that came out yesterday saying that AT&T and Comcast are on board.  I don’t see it on so many levels and apparently AT&T and Comcast don’t see it either as they sent out corrections today.  A similar policy was being pushed through in France and New Zealand and even they are backpeddling due to a public outcry.  You really think it will work in the US?  Not likely.  So now, no ground has been gained and we have once again alienated our consumer base.  DRM does not work.  Forcing people to buy music YOUR WAY, by any means necessary, does not work.  Have we learned nothing since Napster?

If you want to sell music, make something worth buying.  Support an artist that deserves to be in this world and let them connect with the public.  If someone loves the song, they may take it without paying (can anyone say free goods?) but if they love the artist, they will buy it.  It makes them a supporter and part of the club.  As a club member, they take pride in buying the song, the t-shirt, the concert ticket, etc.  People want meaningful artists they can believe in who sing meaningful songs that speak to them.  When looking at new talent, ask yourself “is the world waiting for this”?  If the answer is no, move on…