SoundCloud Is Locking DJs Out
Over the last year or so, the rumblings coming from SoundCloud have erupted into a roar. Now, it’s pretty much a given that if you have included any copyrighted material in the mixes you uploaded to your SoundCloud account, you will be shut down.
SoundCloud is now actively enforcing its copyright and licensing policy. That means that any mixes containing copyrighted material will be targeted. According to SoundCloud, the account holder will be notified first. They are supposed to give you a chance to rectify the situation. That means that you can either pull the mix off their site completely or prove that you have the original creator’s permission to use the music.
As often happens, there are people who sit on either side of the debate. There are those who believe that music is free and can be used by anyone at will. There are those who believe that artists deserve to be protected from anyone who might steal their work.
I think it raises an interesting question: why is SoundCloud (and Universal and Sony who are among those pressuring SoundCloud) so intent on removing every bit of borrowed music? If a DJ uses someone else’s music, sells that mix, and claims it as their own, then that’s an obvious problem. That’s clearly a situation of one person stealing someone’s else’s property.
But, the issue that leaves me scratching my head is when a DJ uses someone else’s music, does not attempt to sell, and acknowledges where that music came from, then what’s the big deal? I would argue that it’s a great marketing opportunity for the artists. Your music and your name are reaching a larger audience.
I’m going to suggest that the reason SoundCloud is coming down hard on DJs has little to do with any money it (or the artists) might be losing. Rather, it has everything to do with control. Allowing music to be shared freely (or at least with proper attribution) dilutes the source of power. In that case, a large company (like Sony) can no longer try to force an artist to follow its playbook. Artists, music listeners and consumers would be the ones in charge.
How about that for a change? What do you think of SoundCloud’s move?
