File Sharing – Survey of Jazz

This week’s discussion topic is about how music is “sold” or shared (legally and illegally) on the internet. Composers and musicians have traditionally been able to earn income through sales of their recorded works and compositions. File sharing compensation laws and illegal file sharing sites have changed this in the internet age, making it more difficult for artists to be paid for music distributed over the internet. This assignment has you read about the fairly new Music Modernization Act, signed into law in 2018, and also includes jazz composer Maria Schneider’s testimony to Congress about how the large players in data collection have gotten around paying artists for the intellectual content/creative property. Artists and record companies continue making efforts to work with lawmakers to look at current file sharing law.

Research this topic to find a variety of viewpoints which could help you form an educated opinion on the topic.

Assigned Readings:

USF Music Copyright Policy: http://www.usf.edu/it/documentation/music-copyright.aspx (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

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Interesting article from a while ago that is still applicable to today…(click the “read more” link…) http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/08/technology/personaltech/08pogue-web.html?_r=2&ref=personaltechemail&nl=technology&emc=cta1Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

Jazz Composer Maria Schneider testimony to Congress about musicians ability to make a living in the new digital era, and creative property issues. https://vimeo.com/89327769 (Links to an external site.)

Explanation of the Music Modernization Act – new laws meant to help define how music is sold/distributed online.

https://iconcollective.edu/music-modernization-act/ (Links to an external site.)

Day One:

Post your opinion on whether you think musicians are being treated fairly in the current online music marketplace (downloads, YouTube, and music services like Rhapsody and Spotify.). Also post your opinion on whether illegal (free) music file sharing should be illegal or not. Explain why you think this way. If you reference an article or book (as you should), please cite or provide a link.

Day Two:

Respond to another students post : Read and thoughtfully respond to one of your Group Member’s Posts from Day One by Clicking “Reply” to their post. BE SURE you reply in YOUR discussion groups thread.