What can I do about forums that post my albums for free download?

[acertim]

I am a local artist that releases 1-2 albums on CD per year.  There is a website that uploads my cds, and others like it, and put its for free download on file hosting sites.  All of their content is illegal music that their users can download via filehosts.  What can I do about this?

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

If you figure it out, let the RIAA know immediately :p

The best you can probably do is copyright infringement notices on the file hosts. Might be worth asking someone in the know (lawyer maybe) if you can send a cease and desist to the website in question?

[acertim]

Is the problem really that bad? 

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

Well, you could try just asking the website to remove your links as a first step, but other than that, there's not really much else you can do.

[acertim]

I've tried and have never got a repsonse from that website.  Can I make a complaint to the host of their website?  Is that even effective?

[Phouchg]

Unless you like aggrevating people, enjoy fighting against the wind and also want to appear a bit douchy, nothing. The ones, who download - they probably like your music. Or why would they do it? Take solace in that. They might or might not want to drop money for it, but one thing is clear - they aren't going to if you'll go all law and order on them. And if you're in it solely for the money - you deserve none of it. Instead, set up bandcamp, soundcloud, some kind of charity, perhaps. Engage with your listeners, promote your stuff around, use money for advertising and awareness rather than ligitations and lining shyster's pockets. From time to time remind people that you're not really using the money to wipe backside (well, unless you're rapping - then things along these lines sort of belong to the genre). And so you'd appreciate that they cough up for things they like, that every little helps and such; but don't press on it, because, likely, neither do they bathe in benjamins, you know.

 

Oh, and the thing about dealing with that website - as long as there's single digital copy out there somewhere, it's going to pop up somewhere. Depending on the nature of that site (if it's not filesharing malware ridden cesspool of pron, but something you can see yourself associating with), perhaps you can make a deal with that site. Take note how that works with some TPB indies. I've seen RuTr....rrrr also doing this and it's nearly always a great success.

 

On the other hand, if you aren't convinced - take note how well it has worked out for the big labels. Nobody really gives a crap about their posturing, warnings and other bull. People just pump, dump, rip, share around and listen to the stuff anyway. If they're gonna, they're gonna.

[EZRecovery]

I've tried and have never got a repsonse from that website.  Can I make a complaint to the host of their website?  Is that even effective?

 

Websites and companies are not going to listen to you directly, you might need to hire a lawyer so the lawyer can send cease and desist letters.

[ACTIONpack]

What's the link of the post?

[Alwaysonacoffebreak]

You can send them letters to take it down, maybe (a very big maybe) they will take it down. Another 100 will pop up. There just aint no way to fight piracy. Look at the music industry or the movie industry, they are spending millions every year to "try" and fight it but without any progress. Most sites just move their servers to a location that doesn't give a flying .... and tell the industry in question to **** off. There have been maybe, what, 4-5 torrent sites closed? How many popped up? 40-50?

 

It's best for you not to spend your remaining money to fight them. Not that I agree with piracy but this is a battle you won't win.

 

I've actually seen artists releasing their own albums themselves on torrent sites with leaving a note that if the people like it to buy it to support him/her :) Which I think is nice an all, maybe some of them will even buy it but most just wont do it. But rather have some of them buy than none right?

[Draconian Guppy]

Unless you like aggrevating people, enjoy fighting against the wind and also want to appear a bit douchy, nothing. The ones, who download - they probably like your music. Or why would they do it? Take solace in that. They might or might not want to drop money for it, but one thing is clear - they aren't going to if you'll go all law and order on them. And if you're in it solely for the money - you deserve none of it. Instead, set up bandcamp, soundcloud, some kind of charity, perhaps. Engage with your listeners, promote your stuff around, use money for advertising and awareness rather than ligitations and lining shyster's pockets. From time to time remind people that you're not really using the money to wipe backside (well, unless you're rapping - then things along these lines sort of belong to the genre). And so you'd appreciate that they cough up for things they like, that every little helps and such; but don't press on it, because, likely, neither do they bathe in benjamins, you know.

 

Oh, and the thing about dealing with that website - as long as there's single digital copy out there somewhere, it's going to pop up somewhere. Depending on the nature of that site (if it's not filesharing malware ridden cesspool of pron, but something you can see yourself associating with), perhaps you can make a deal with that site. Take note how that works with some TPB indies. I've seen RuTr....rrrr also doing this and it's nearly always a great success.

 

On the other hand, if you aren't convinced - take note how well it has worked out for the big labels. Nobody really gives a crap about their posturing, warnings and other bull. People just pump, dump, rip, share around and listen to the stuff anyway. If they're gonna, they're gonna.

 

 

You can send them letters to take it down, maybe (a very big maybe) they will take it down. Another 100 will pop up. There just aint no way to fight piracy. Look at the music industry or the movie industry, they are spending millions every year to "try" and fight it but without any progress. Most sites just move their servers to a location that doesn't give a flying .... and tell the industry in question to **** off. There have been maybe, what, 4-5 torrent sites closed? How many popped up? 40-50?

 

It's best for you not to spend your remaining money to fight them. Not that I agree with piracy but this is a battle you won't win.

 

I've actually seen artists releasing their own albums themselves on torrent sites with leaving a note that if the people like it to buy it to support him/her :) Which I think is nice an all, maybe some of them will even buy it but most just wont do it. But rather have some of them buy than none right?

These two are spot on...

 

While the OP may not agree with your/our opinions, take some sense OP, while it's not our business , there is a good side to everything and for emerging artists, IT might not be that bad at all.

[Praetor]

Don't be all negative with this issue because there's alot you can do but just not the way you think.  :)

 

i know a few big bands in my country and some good artists (music, comedians) that were discovered because of piracy of their works. Those were the success cases; it all depends of whether the public likes the songs and how are you gonna cash those in. Some word of mouth helps alot, as well reaching your fans (whom you might don't even know how many they are) through social media and concerts.

[FiB3R]

Join the websites in question, let people know that you are the artist, and ask them what they think of your music.

 

Give them the option to pay whatever they like, maybe with the added bonus of a few unreleased tracks/artwork

 

The amount of crap I have downloaded, just because the title sounded catchy is unbelievable, so not every "illegal" download is a lost sale, nowhere near it.

 

Don't fight your fans, connect with them.

[Draconian Guppy]

 

Don't fight your fans, connect with them.

Very postive thoughts!

[Praetor]

Don't fight your fans, connect with them.

 

THIS. It just sums everything up.

/thread.

[xendrome]

If you can some how show proof of ownership, you would need to contact the hosting company or if the site is self-hosted, the ISP providing the connection to the server. They likely have a form/process that you can use to go through a removal of the content or severing the connection.

 

The hard part may be actually proving ownership.

[Praetor]

If you can some how show proof of ownership, you would need to contact the hosting company or if the site is self-hosted, the ISP providing the connection to the server. They likely have a form/process that you can use to go through a removal of the content or severing the connection.

 

The hard part may be actually proving ownership.

 

not at all, but he/she will need an lawyer for that. not only that will be very costly but it will go nowhere.

 

like i've said, best is to connect with the fans, they are the ones that will pay you.

[+Warwagon MVC]

if they wanted to buy your music how can they do it? Are you on itunes, amazon?

[_dandy_]

Upload the files yourself.

 

Only, right in the middle of your tracks, record a voice-over telling people they've obtained your music illegally and directing them to your web site.

 

Beyond that, I'm afraid you're only losing the battle.

[DConnell Member]

Unless you like aggrevating people, enjoy fighting against the wind and also want to appear a bit douchy, nothing. The ones, who download - they probably like your music. Or why would they do it? Take solace in that. They might or might not want to drop money for it, but one thing is clear - they aren't going to if you'll go all law and order on them. And if you're in it solely for the money - you deserve none of it. Instead, set up bandcamp, soundcloud, some kind of charity, perhaps. Engage with your listeners, promote your stuff around, use money for advertising and awareness rather than ligitations and lining shyster's pockets. From time to time remind people that you're not really using the money to wipe backside (well, unless you're rapping - then things along these lines sort of belong to the genre). And so you'd appreciate that they cough up for things they like, that every little helps and such; but don't press on it, because, likely, neither do they bathe in benjamins, you know.

 

Oh, and the thing about dealing with that website - as long as there's single digital copy out there somewhere, it's going to pop up somewhere. Depending on the nature of that site (if it's not filesharing malware ridden cesspool of pron, but something you can see yourself associating with), perhaps you can make a deal with that site. Take note how that works with some TPB indies. I've seen RuTr....rrrr also doing this and it's nearly always a great success.

 

On the other hand, if you aren't convinced - take note how well it has worked out for the big labels. Nobody really gives a crap about their posturing, warnings and other bull. People just pump, dump, rip, share around and listen to the stuff anyway. If they're gonna, they're gonna.

 

The most effective "copyright notice" I've ever seen was on the DVDs put out by Cinematic Titanic - some of the MST3K alumni. Rather than all the "it's illegal" rhetoric, they basically said: "The DVD you're about to watch was created solely by the performers in it. By buying the video rather than pirating it, you help us to keep making them, and enable us to support ourselves and our families."

 

If you engage your fans and put something like that on your website, along with a link to where people can buy your stuff, you might get a positive response.

 

It couldn't hurt, anyway.

[Draconian Guppy]

no reply from op though :laugh:

[+Warwagon MVC]

Even though your music is being pirated, don't treat ALL of your customers as pirates.

[FiB3R]

Upload the files yourself.

 

Only, right in the middle of your tracks, record a voice-over telling people they've obtained your music illegally and directing them to your web site.

 

Beyond that, I'm afraid you're only losing the battle.

lol.

 

Have you ever poked a dog with a stick? It will either run away, or bite you.

 

Pull a stunt like that, and people will either move on to the next thing, or become hell bent on finding a "clean" copy just to spite you, or "win" this cat and mouse game you will have created.

 

In a world bursting with content vying for your attention (more than we consume in a lifetime), coupled with 5 minute (if that) attention spans, I'd say that was a bad idea.

[Luc2k]

The most effective "copyright notice" I've ever seen was on the DVDs put out by Cinematic Titanic - some of the MST3K alumni. Rather than all the "it's illegal" rhetoric, they basically said: "The DVD you're about to watch was created solely by the performers in it. By buying the video rather than pirating it, you help us to keep making them, and enable us to support ourselves and our families."

Not very effective at all since pirates don't see those notices at all, only the legitimate customers.

[_dandy_]

lol.

 

Have you ever poked a dog with a stick? It will either run away, or bite you.

 

Pull a stunt like that, and people will either move on to the next thing, or become hell bent on finding a "clean" copy just to spite you, or "win" this cat and mouse game you will have created.

 

In a world bursting with content vying for your attention (more than we consume in a lifetime), coupled with 5 minute (if that) attention spans, I'd say that was a bad idea.

 

Maybe so, but the point you get clearly across--and that's the more important thing, IMO, is that *you*, as the struggling artist, are sending a message directly to your "fans", as opposed to having that message sent by a faceless entity like the RIAA.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I used to be, and still have several friends in the "music industry," a few of which even had/currently still do have, a record label deal. Hell, I stood on the second stage at the OzzFest thanks to the fact my friends band was playing it.

 

I find it very perplexing that if the OP is serious about making music at all that he is just coming to this realization now. It has been an issue for bands and artists the past 5-10 years. No one pays for music anymore.

 

So you have a few options.

• Figure out a way they will pay (pay what you will seems to be the most popular these days)
• Have videos popular enough on YouTube that you get enough pennies thanks to forced ads
• Hit the road and tour
• Sell Merchandise

The last 2 are pretty much the main way to make money as a musician or artist.

 

I would actually try and look at it this way. Someone deemed your music good enough that it was worth putting up to have people download it to begin with. That is actually a positive.