Myspace gets it wrong!
The Age (Melbourne Australia) is the closest we get to a newspaper like the Independent in the UK. TMV was quoted in The Age in reference to comments we made about the fact Myspace Music’s equity deal with the major labels, whilst excluding independent labels from the deal was “morally reprehensible”. TMV steadfastly stand by these comments.
However, we were aghast to have a representative from myspace stating “[Myspace] believed its recent alliance with IODA – the Independent Online Distribution Alliance, which represents 50,000 independent artists – was an endorsement of Myspace by independents”. How stupid can Myspace be?
50,000 independent artists is a small fraction of the global independent sector (especially considering there are more than 1.5 million independent artists with Myspace profiles) . I suggest Myspace wake up!
IODA is an aggregator – it is not the representative body of the Independent labels that task lies with Merlin. For those of you unfamiliar with the state of play – Merlin was established by independent labels domestic representative bodies from around the world to negotiate on their behalf. Not IODA or any other aggregator for that matter.
With members in over 25 countries, Merlin is the first rights body focusing purely on the interests of the global independent music sector, which collectively represents 30% of all music sales. This in itself makes it the largest market shareholder over any major label. If anything-independent labels should be the largest equity holders in the Myspace music business, not the major labels.
So I suggest Myspace desist from viewing negotiations with aggregators as being representative of the global independent music labels. Myspace knows this and is already in discussions with Merlin and so should know better than to spread what it knows to be falsehoods.
It has become extremely clear to TMV that certain digital conglomerates who rely on independent and major label content alike need to be sent a very clear message from the independent sector. That message is simple: independents make up the largest market share of music sales on a global basis when compared to any major label.
Subsequently, independent labels should receive better payments rates than any single major label. If these digital conglomerates are unwilling to acknowledge this fact, than independents should take down their content from these sites until such acknowledgement is forthcoming. In TMV’s view the time has come for the independent sector to leverage its members power to the fullest and demonstrate that independents will no longer let major digital conglomerates treat them like second-class citizens. Enough is enough!
Other readers also read:
MySpace Music Is No Spotify Challenger
Twones: The Music Start Up Made For Social Networking
Related posts:
- Indies break rank to sign with MySpace Music
- Myspace Music streams 1bn+ tracks in 1st week
- MySpace launches Android application with Google phone
- In defence of Myspace Music
- The lowdown: Myspace Music Today 25th September at 9pm BST
Posted by Jakomi Mathews
on Nov 27 2008. Filed under Business Models, Digital, Gadget & Services, Marketing.
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