ahrem!The Internet Archive has worked with tapers, tape
traders, funders, admins, and over 1000 bands
to build a great non-commercial music library that is freely accessible.
Technically and policy-wise, it has been invigorating as you can probably appreciate.
We have made changes in the past and we will make changes again.
Following the policies of the Grateful Dead and the Dead communities
we have provided non-commercial access to thousands of great concerts.
Based on discussions with many involved, the Internet Archive has been asked
to change how the Grateful Dead concert recordings are being distributed
on the Archive site for the time being. The full collection will remain safe
in the Archive for preservation purposes.
Here is the plan:
Audience recordings are available in streaming format (m3u).
Soundboard recordings are not available.
Additionally, the Grateful Dead recordings will be separated from the
Live Music Archive into its own collection. The metadata and reviews for
all shows and recordings will remain available.
We appreciate that this change will be a surprise and upset many of you, but please
channel reactions in ways that you genuinely think will be productive.
If we keep the bigger picture in mind that there are many experiments
going on right now, and experiments working well, we can build on the momentum
that tape trading started decades ago.
Working together we can keep non-commercial sharing part of our world.
Thank you for helping find balances that work for all involved.
-brewster
Digital Librarian and Founder
-Matt Vernon
Volunteer GD Archivist
WWJ(erry)D? One thing is certain: the band recently began selling downloads of its shows using a whacko three-tiered pricing scheme based on whether the recording is lossy (higher price for higher sampling bitrate) or lossless (highest price of all).
Without knowing the full story, my initial reaction is that this strategy will almost surely backfire.
John Perry Barlow's reaction: You have no idea how sad I am about this. I fought it hammer and tong, but the drummers had inoperable bricks in their head about it.
What's worse is that they now want to remove all Dead music from the Web. They might as easily put a teaspoon of food coloring in a swimming pool and then tell the pool owner to get it back to them.
It's like finding out that your brother is a child molester. And then, worse, having everyone then assume that you're a child molester too. I've been called a hypocrite in three languages already.
How magnificently counter-productive of them. It's as if the goose who laid the golden egg had decided to commit suicide so that he could get more golden eggs.
This is just the beginning of the backlash, I promise you.
This is worse than the RIAA suing their customers. Still, the sad part is just that certain members of the dead family have no clue. Coming from a group that was always *way* ahead of the curve in terms of understanding how intellectual property actually works in the modern world just makes it all the worse. But, to keep things in perspective, this isn't gong to change anything. You will still be able to download everything the dead ever recorded (which is almost everything they ever played) for free on the internet. The only difference is that Grateful Dead Merchandising has now made themselves the enemy rather than the recipient of copious amounts of good will. So really it's their loss.
thanks jim. wondering what the insiders were thinking. this sort of thing had a backlash on metallica too.
from todays nyt :
"Most fans, he continued, "understand they were being granted an extraordinary privilege, and they responded by taking it very seriously" by respecting the band's wishes not to sell their live recordings. "This is not the same situation," he added."
he saying the archive was profiteering?
from rollingstone
"Fans were incensed that the policy change applies not only to official soundboards but audience recordings as well. Throughout their four-decade career, the Grateful Dead actively encouraged fans to trade live recordings and even designated a special "taper's section" at the concerts. In return, Deadheads largely respected the band's wishes that the concert recordings weren't sold for profit."
i thought they werent bothering fan recordings, just the board stuff.
...............................................................................................................................................
"On his blog, David Gans -- host of the syndicated radio show Grateful Dead Hour, which has drawn on the Live Music Archive for its broadcasts -- criticized the petition: "The howling has begun, and the sense of entitlement that has always concerned me is in full flower." Countering claims that the Dead are doing this to maintain "champagne-and-Porsche lifestyles," Gans mentioned that Grateful Dead Productions, the band's business wing, was recently forced to downsize. Meanwhile, fans are still permitted to trade shows, and Live Music Archive is developing a special section for streaming thousands of the band's audience recordings. "I think it's worthwhile to ask ourselves if there isn't some greed on the other side of the equation," wrote Gans, pointing to the fans."
taking the occasion to listen.
exdcept its just the first song and then it drops out!? is that whats going on?
if they mention tie-dyed t shirts one more time... With more than 4,200 signatures on an online petition calling for a boycott of Grateful Dead products - from tie-dyed T-shirts to kitsch emblazoned with the band's dancing bear and skeleton icons - the band's spokesman said the members were still working out an official position on the controversy.
Bill, thanks for staying on top of this important issue! I'm sure your legions of dead head readers appreciate it. :-) I know I do. Anyway: Complete recordings of Grateful Dead concerts will once again be available at the online Internet Archive (archive.org)—perhaps as early as tonight.
According to Grateful Dead spokesman Dennis McNally, the removal on November 22 of all downloadable Dead recordings from archive.org was the result of “a great communication snafu.”
“It is my understanding that by the end of the day, the audience tapes will be restored to archive.org,” McNally said by phone. Soundboard recordings will also be available streaming only. And here's a letter from bassist Phil Lesh (who would never have been involved in this foolishness):I was not part of this decision making process and was not notified that the shows were to be pulled. I do feel that the music is the Grateful Dead's legacy and I hope that one way or another all of it is available for those who want it . I have enjoyed using Archive.org and found it invaluable during the writing of my book. I found myself being pulled back in time listening to old Grateful Dead shows while giggling with glee or feeling that ache in my heart listening to Jerry's poetic guitar and sweet voice.
We are musicians not businessmen and have made good and bad decisions on our journey. We do love and care about our community as you helped us make the music. We could not have made this kind of music without you as you allowed us to play "without a net". Your love, trust and patience made it possible for us to try again the next show when we couldn't get that magic carpet off the ground. Your concerns have been heard and I am sure are being respectfully addressed. That's the Dead I know. Okay, I'd say this is all wrapped up.
GD, sherry levine, richard prince, all the same stuff.
|
- bill 11-29-2005 3:09 am
WWJ(erry)D?
- bill 11-29-2005 1:15 pm [add a comment]
John Perry Barlow's reaction:
Still, the sad part is just that certain members of the dead family have no clue. Coming from a group that was always *way* ahead of the curve in terms of understanding how intellectual property actually works in the modern world just makes it all the worse. But, to keep things in perspective, this isn't gong to change anything. You will still be able to download everything the dead ever recorded (which is almost everything they ever played) for free on the internet. The only difference is that Grateful Dead Merchandising has now made themselves the enemy rather than the recipient of copious amounts of good will. So really it's their loss.- jim 11-29-2005 10:05 pm [add a comment]
thanks jim. wondering what the insiders were thinking. this sort of thing had a backlash on metallica too.
- bill 11-29-2005 10:38 pm [add a comment]
from todays nyt :
"Most fans, he continued, "understand they were being granted an extraordinary privilege, and they responded by taking it very seriously" by respecting the band's wishes not to sell their live recordings. "This is not the same situation," he added."
he saying the archive was profiteering?
- bill 11-30-2005 3:18 pm [add a comment]
from rollingstone
"Fans were incensed that the policy change applies not only to official soundboards but audience recordings as well. Throughout their four-decade career, the Grateful Dead actively encouraged fans to trade live recordings and even designated a special "taper's section" at the concerts. In return, Deadheads largely respected the band's wishes that the concert recordings weren't sold for profit."
i thought they werent bothering fan recordings, just the board stuff.
...............................................................................................................................................
"On his blog, David Gans -- host of the syndicated radio show Grateful Dead Hour, which has drawn on the Live Music Archive for its broadcasts -- criticized the petition: "The howling has begun, and the sense of entitlement that has always concerned me is in full flower." Countering claims that the Dead are doing this to maintain "champagne-and-Porsche lifestyles," Gans mentioned that Grateful Dead Productions, the band's business wing, was recently forced to downsize. Meanwhile, fans are still permitted to trade shows, and Live Music Archive is developing a special section for streaming thousands of the band's audience recordings. "I think it's worthwhile to ask ourselves if there isn't some greed on the other side of the equation," wrote Gans, pointing to the fans."
- bill 11-30-2005 3:40 pm [add a comment]
taking the occasion to listen.
exdcept its just the first song and then it drops out!? is that whats going on?
- bill 11-30-2005 4:36 pm [add a comment]
if they mention tie-dyed t shirts one more time...
- bill 12-01-2005 11:32 am [add a comment]
Bill, thanks for staying on top of this important issue! I'm sure your legions of dead head readers appreciate it. :-) I know I do. Anyway:
And here's a letter from bassist Phil Lesh (who would never have been involved in this foolishness):That's the Dead I know. Okay, I'd say this is all wrapped up.- jim 12-01-2005 6:45 pm [add a comment]
GD, sherry levine, richard prince, all the same stuff.
- bill 12-01-2005 8:07 pm [add a comment]