An appeals court upheld on Tuesday (January 4) a ruling that said consumers have the right to re-sell promotional CDs.
A panel of judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit determined that Los Angeles music re-seller Troy Augusto was within his rights by buying and re-selling music, including promo CDs that are often issued by record labels. Universal Music Group sued Augusto and his company back in 2007, arguing that the distribution of the CDs without its permition was a violation of copyright.
The U.S. District Court, in its 2008 ruling, disagreed with Universal’s stance, indicating that, legally, UMG’s distribution of the promo CDs constituted a gift in that the label never required anything in exchange for the CDs.
According to paidcontent.org, UMG’s options include asking for a re-hearing of the 9th Circuit, or to appeal to the Supreme Court, though neither option seems likely.
“The Ninth Circuit recognized an important principle: that you can’t eliminate consumers’ rights just by claiming there’s a ‘license agreement,’” Explained Joe Gratz of the Durie Tangri law firm, which represented Augusto. “Once a copyrighted work is freely given, the copyright holder isn’t in charge anymore. The copyright owner can’t stop you from selling it or lending it to a friend.”
The ruling in this case is significant in that it could have implications for consumers’ rights regarding the resale of other copyrighted items.
Universal Music Group, home to artists such as Lil Wayne, Eminem, Kid Cudi, Kanye, Young Jeezy and many more, has yet to comment on the matter.
CHECK THIS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxEtfs36qpg
CRAZYY
CHECK THIS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxEtfs36qpg
CRAZYY shit
CHECK THIS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxEtfs36qpg
Universal is actually the only record company there is. EAT SHIT UNIVERSAL.
U mean tha only MAJOR (which that still isn’t true: SME, WMG, EMI). Otherwise, I agree with your sentiments.
Eat shit is right! Just because you have the power to put music in the hands of the masses doesnt mean you have respect for the culture or product your representing! It sure as shit doesnt give you the right to tell me what I can and cant do with the music I love,REMEMBER ITS THE FANS AND DJ’S THAT SELL UNITS AND PROMOTE ARTISTS INTO STARDOM NOT THE LABEL!!!
They love the earning potential of hip hop but have no respect for it as an art form- Talib Kweli
independents are winning support them!
I’m not one to bitch all the time about grammar, but seriously DX, permition? SpellCheck will tell you that’s not a word.
Fuck yeah……..I worked at Tower Records for 5 years and would always get promo CD’s and resell them to Amoeba or Arons records …anyone out in L.A. remember Arons? haha…Sometimes i’d get $3.00 for a promo so i aid f them….so while i was a cashier if someone would be buying a CD of a promo i had i’d tell them that i’d sell them mine for $5. hahaha…I’d make about $100. a week in selling promos to Tower customers….