I guess Grooveshark strategy of it being "easier to ask for forgiveness later than it is to ask for permission now" has failed. (http://www.thecmuwebsite.com/article/grooveshark-emails-on-l...)
All Major Labels Are Suing Grooveshark
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Re: All Major Labels Are Suing Grooveshark
#12I wish Grooveshark was a legal service. I haven't downloaded any music since I've started using it. It's sad that the labels can't take a hint. The music business is changing (just like the software business). Businesses that don't go with the flow will eventually be left behind.
I usually anti-label, but in this case, I don't see the problem. It isn't like the labels are against all you can eat streaming services. They even support "free" ones, like Spotify and Mog. They just want a cut/ownership of the services. The only difference between Grooveshark and Spotify/Mog is a slightly larger library (due to Grooveshark's grey legality), international availability (annoying for the other service…
I'm generally against copyright infringement/intellectual property theft. I guess I was just trying to say I want more legal services like this.
You have some great points. I haven't had a chance to use spotify.
Re: All Major Labels Are Suing Grooveshark
#13Paying member here. Its truly a wonderful service that I hope survives, despite these legal challenges. Their value for me is in their 'long tail' catalog, with lesser known or foreign bands.
Re: All Major Labels Are Suing Grooveshark
#14Why doesn't one of the labels just buy Grooveshark? Make an offer they can't resist. The record label would get some fresh talent with actual vision, and worst case scenario would be Grooveshark getting shut down and the founders making a decent exit.
One could buy them, but now that label would be pissing off all the rest and a liability. Unless they all bought a portion, but that will never happen.
Re: All Major Labels Are Suing Grooveshark
#15Why doesn't one of the labels just buy Grooveshark? Make an offer they can't resist. The record label would get some fresh talent with actual vision, and worst case scenario would be Grooveshark getting shut down and the founders making a decent exit.
Thats a really great question.
The main reason is because the other labels would still want to sue.
Now why can't they all just buy grooveshark together? Because we have anti-trust laws that prevent them from working together like that.
So why don't they just work with grooveshark to get the licensing deals they want and capitalize on the huge userbase? Because the labels see it in their best interest to keep this grey area dangerous to enter. If they struck up a deal with grooveshark more people might get into the game seeking to grab the music industry by the balls and that's not what the RIAA wants. They want a firm grasp on everyone elses.
Re: All Major Labels Are Suing Grooveshark
#16I work in music, with a lot of indie labels and musicians, and for once the ENTIRE industry is inline on something. Grooveshark has been actively hostile to artists requesting their music be removed from the service, their terms are unfriendly and their staff is rude, and if even a fraction of the allegations against their management are true they should be held personally accountable.
Everyone in this industry understands playing fast and loose with regulations but Grooveshark repeatedly crossed the line and has made only hollow attempts at seeing artists compensated. For once this isn't RIAA greed, it's acceptable and appropriate action.
Re: All Major Labels Are Suing Grooveshark
#17Nice move if what they want is for all of Grooveshark users worldwide start downloading music again when they manage to shut it down.
Re: All Major Labels Are Suing Grooveshark
#18I think what Grooveshark is doing is clearly illegal.
Whether the law is just or current, that is up to debate.
Re: All Major Labels Are Suing Grooveshark
#19Nice move if what they want is for all of Grooveshark users worldwide start downloading music again when they manage to shut it down.
From my understanding (could be wrong) the label's aren't getting paid for their music through Grooveshark, so if they're not getting paid they'd likely prefer to force users to jump through the hoops of pirating music then from using a service such as Grooveshark. (actually they'd prefer you use a free service like Spotify which pays for the music rights).
Re: All Major Labels Are Suing Grooveshark
#20Nice move if what they want is for all of Grooveshark users worldwide start downloading music again when they manage to shut it down.
What's the difference? Grooveshark isn't paying them anyway.