Pirate Labels

There’s an increasing problem with bootleg record labels in the industry.  These companies take music that was written years prior and capitalize on the fact that the music is historic.  Many of these labels work under the assumption that the music is unclaimed and use the music though they own no rights to these songs.  This is more commonly called reissue bootlegging.  Most of the music being bootlegged is private release songs of now defunct record companies.  Again, the new label works under the assumption that the previous label is out of sight out of mind.  Why should we pay for this historic music they might ask?  The answer, because it’s someone else’s music!

There is a difference in labels that reissue because they give credit to previous labels, which bootleg outfits don’t go through proper channels to get approval for use of the music.  Reissue labels such as Honest Jon, Independiente and Yoga Records go through proper channels to get permission to use historic music, while paying the composers.  Something like public domain songs that are reissued or replayed are fine because there is no copyright claim.

One of the biggest offenders of bootleg labels is a now defunct label Radioactive out of the UK.  This label was owned by James Plummer who seems to be an illusive person and has never returned any of my emails that inquired about the claims of his label pirating old music.  Plummer most recently opened label Erebus, which also went under, not surprisingly.  Its easy to take music that belongs to someone else and use it, much harder to go through the proper channels to clear the music.

Record labels in the US might have a harder time getting away with stealing intellectual property.  Not paying artists mechanicals for music that they own is considered a slap in the face in the US industry.  Though it should be said that these two labels owned by Plummer didn’t last long and probably shows that the British government was onto the company.  The key to remember is that if you do things that are considered unethical in the industry you will start to lose respect and no one will want your business.  Its smart to remember that the industry is circular and everything you do good or bad will come back to you.

www.yogarecords.com

www.honestjons.com

www.independiente.co.uk/

www.yogarecords.com/press/radioactive.html

www.rateyourmusic.com/label/erebus_records/

www.rateyourmusic.com/label/radioactive_records_f1/

www.discogs.com/label/Erebus%20Records%20(2)

www.discogs.com/label/Radioactive%20%282%29

www.headheritage.co.uk/headtohead/unsung/topic/34132/threaded/421743