March 21, 2004 – 9:23 pm
Read this: Music giant targets NZ laws
The music industry is outraged that the government is considering making it legal for people to copy a CD they’ve bought. The proposal is being considered by the government as part of a review of digital technology under the Copyright Act. Associate Minister of Commerce Judith Tizard says the proposed amendment would allow one person to make one copy of their CDs.
But one of the world’s biggest record companies, Universal Music, says only record companies can decide who can copy their music. Its local managing director, Adam Holt, says it should remain illegal to make copies of any music CD. Universal has recently moved to combat music trading over the internet by offering pay-per-download music tracks for $1.52 per song.
This is archetypal stuff from the majors: self-interested, counter-intuitive, anti-consumer, plain old bad business and even worse PR. Adam Holt’s due for a bonus from these guys. And this from someone who reportedly likes the Smiths. For shame.