COPYRIGHT BACK TO MUSIC MAKERS

The world of copyright has long been in motion. Every new form of distribution provides a mountain of problems, because the old, sometimes monopolistic structures are not able to adjust to new technologies. By some is called for a drastic reform or even abolition of copyright. Copyright was originally intended for those who carry out creative achievements and to give them control over their work and to reward them for it.  The music industry has made a caricature of it. In factual practice, record companies, music publishers, managers and collective rights organizations benefit from the creative achievements of others. Copyright must therefore return to music makers. From this idea VillaMusicRights is established, an innovative organization making possible through a website that music makers manage their own copyright and put them directly in touch with users of their music, a kind of marketplace therefore. Copyright is a reward system for music makers and no punishment system for citizens, in which the concepts download ban and private copying levy are at the centre. Wouldn’t it be nice if in future policy innovation and encouraging innovative initiatives are at the centre? As long as it is not,  the old structures - at least for now - remain. This is undesirable, because this way creative people remain dependent of organizations that consider self-interest as the most important thing.