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Rockers Form Group to Fight for Rights

Coalition aims to give UK bards more control over copyright

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 4, 2008 4:41 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Dozens of British rock stars have joined together to form an organization that seeks more control over the music they create, the Guardian reports. The manifesto of the Featured Artists' Coalition calls for bands to have much more say over copyright—one of the issues that spurred founding members Radiohead to leave their label EMI last year and release a “pay what you can” album online.

Group members—which include Robbie Williams, Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmour, the Kaiser Chiefs, and veteran leftist bard Billy Bragg—say the coalition will help prevent up-and-coming artists from getting shafted by record companies. Digital distribution has begun to shift the power balance, but artists are worried about new ventures like MySpace Music, which unites tech companies with major labels while denying musicians any part in the deal.


British band The Kaiser Chiefs perform at the Brit Awards 2008 in London, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008.
British band The Kaiser Chiefs perform at the Brit Awards 2008 in London, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Left-wing British singer Billy Bragg is among the founding members of the Featured Artists' Coalition.
Left-wing British singer Billy Bragg is among the founding members of the Featured Artists' Coalition.   (©David Masters)
British singer Robbie Williams arrives for the EMI post Grammy party in New York, Feb 24, 2003.
British singer Robbie Williams arrives for the EMI post Grammy party in New York, Feb 24, 2003.   (AP Photo/Shawn Baldwin)
Thom Yorke and Radiohead perform during the All Points West music festival at Liberty State Park Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008 in Jersey City, N.J.
Thom Yorke and Radiohead perform during the All Points West music festival at Liberty State Park Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008 in Jersey City, N.J.   (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
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Balance of powers shifts from record labels
BBC

Radiohead's gamble, one year on
AntiMusic

 
music industry • rock stars • copyright • file sharing • union • musician • Pink Floyd • Radiohead

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