Those who ignore history…
I just got done reading an excellent article that walks through the history of the publishing industry in regards to copyrights, licensing fees, and sticking up for their rights. And hey, look here, it was written in 2001.
Record label faces online piracy suit By Anna Mathews, The Wall Street Journal Online
The title implies a narrow focus, but there is a detailed backstory within. The history lesson starts off in the 19th century, with a brief mention of Tin Pan Alley. During that time, publishers of sheet music weren’t just a part of the music industry - they were the music industry. As the 20th century rock n’ rolled on, the recording industry emerged as the top dog, driven by performances of popular artists.
But the publishing industry didn’t go away. They still want a piece of the pie, and have fought their battles over the years. While researching their actions, you don’t have to look too far before you’ll see the name Harry Fox Agency.
“Who’s Harry Fox?” one musician asked in a Web posting. “If I figure out how to play some song, what’s he got to do with it?”
A question just as relevant today as it was when it was asked back in 1999 at a time when the On-Line Guitar Archive was shut down. Sound familiar?
You might compare the industry shift after the Tin Pan Alley glory days to the technological hurdles publishers face today, but don’t expect them to take these changes lying down. At least not Edward P. Murphy, who in 2001 was CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association.
Mr. Murphy’s point of view was shaped by events such as the advent of the copying machine, which wiped out much of his company’s sheet-music business. He vowed that he wouldn’t let new technologies hurt publishers again.
It may seem like the mainstream music industry has just one voice - usually attributed to the RIAA - but they’re just the recording side of things. The MPA and NMPA are the publishing side. After reading the Anna Mathews’ article, maybe it’ll be clearer how the industry can be at odds even within itself.