Re: [linux-audio-user] Announcing Gnomoradio

Here's a little scenario, mostly just for me to make sure I understand these concepts. I've been glancing at various free licenses lately and this discussion comes at a right time. Here it goes: I set up a website with some music on it in .mp3 and/or .ogg format. I can even throw in a .pdf file with the CD cover/label for any DIY kind of folks. The music and artwork is available under a free license such as Frank is suggesting, basically derived from or based on GPL. In that sense, anyone can download the music and do with it whatever they pleases them. I could, optionally, set up a paypal link and ask for donations. At the same time, I could offer physical CDs for a small fee (production and shipping) which could be somewhere around 5$. Now, some music giant, say Sony Music digs my work (yeah, right...) and they go 'Oh, we can distribute this guy's work and make millions off him without paying him a cent!' But they have to include my license agreement with their product, my artwork (on which I have my contact info) etc. They ship all that to stores and, suppose they're feeling really generous and they sell it for 15$. And they make a massive advertising campaign (they have to if they want to do millions, right?). How many people will actually buy it if they see that they can download it for free (and perhaps leave 1$ on my paypal account) or order a CD for 5$? Suppose there is someone who went to the store and bought the thing but later s/he realized that ripping the CD and sharing it is within his/her rights. I don't see how anyone could make money on this... Even if you substitute the giant with some small label. And why would I be unable to charge money for _my_ work, even if it was distributed by a 3rd party is beyond me. If they distribute it, they have to do it on the terms of my license so they cannot claim exclusive distribution rights. If, on the other hand, Sony Music hands my CD to some hot shot producer and they use it, sample it, modify it and sell a billion, they still have to credit me and make all derivatives under the same license. I can't see them stepping into that. And if they do, my name will be all over it anyways, so I get free publicity. In either case I'm a winner. If none of the above happens, I'm still distributing to a handful of souls who actually connect with what I do, and I'm still happy. From time to time I'll do a show. Even if I get old I'll be able to do shows because prancing on stage is not my thing anyways :) ... or did I get it all wrong...? -- ./MiS _ __ __ (_)___ Michal Seta / \/ \ _/^ _| / V |_ \ @creazone.32k.org (___/V\___|_|___/ http://www.[creazone]|[noonereceiving].32k.org