DJ representation

[RhemyD]

Hey guys, Long time no see, I know I've been slack with posting got married and all that jazz so yeah been too busy for the network side of DJn.

Anyways, I'm finding that we are severly under represented in the music industry. Was talking with a firend of mine who comes from Brisbane where he had to return for an APRA inspection. Basically, they confiscated all his music, CD's and HDD's for checking purposes to make sure there was no breach of copyright. Thing is APRA, ARIA, PPCA, MIPI all hold a avid intrest in DJs and make sure we arn't breaking the law however, theres no one in Australia representing our needs and views.

I understand, like most, that we make a living from others works and they should be compensated for their work. However, why should we have to pay over $1500+ a year in fees just to do the basic things we as DJs need to do in this digital age, if we buy a track we should be able to burn it to CD, and put it into a format to use without paying additional fees. our (or the clubs) Performance licences should compenstate the artist for his rights to the performance of the music. That should be all we have to pay rather then all this format shifting bull shit.

We have a pretty raw deal in the music industry. I mean we advertise the latest and greatest tracks to the general public and we have to pay for the promo release! Every other country (UK, USA, EURO etc) has a DJ association which acts like a union and looks after its members interests. We have nothing like this and consequently have no representation at the policy making level in government.

The copyright act is geared towards punishing DJs because ARIA a few years ago pertitioned the government to change it to what it is today. How did they do that? By donations made to support the politicians campaigns. Looks like he who hath the money maketh the law.

DO people agree with me on this, that we need representation or am I getting fired up about something that is irrelevant to most DJs?

Sorry for long post.

[Buck_Choi]

i think Dj dennis sent them to your mates place, because he knows all the big boys haha they go door knocking.

any one +1 to this, we need protection and a bit more freedom

[ChevChelios]

Mazel tov

[RhemyD]

Cheers Buck_Choi and ChevChelios. Dennis is a mindless drone who just follows the rules without acutally looking at them criticaling and realising that we actually are getting screwed big time.

paying a fee for a fee, or a tax on a tax is called extortion... its effectivly what we are supposed to be doing.

[DjDennis]

Here in Australia, you will never get anything going that will help out

even in the usa they are divided over whats right and whats wrong

here lol its a joke

[RhemyD]

Won't get anything going with negative attitudes like that mate. Industry reforms don't happen over night but, they do happen. If enough people are supportive of this I might just follow it up with some action to local MP's so that we can at least meet and discuss the copyright act and the needs of DJ's.

Dialogue is the first step to anything.

[Buck_Choi]

have you hit any other forums about this? because no offence to ADJF its such a small community i dont think we alone can do much

[RhemyD]

ADJF is the largest Australian ONLY forum that I have come across. I talk about this with DJ friends IRL as well as on facebook etc and most of them agree with me. The ones that get free music sent out to them by labels ofcourse don't see it quite the same way...

[Buck_Choi]

ahh fair enough. cool cool, i know people will mate this but what about "in the mix"? that forum is australian too.

[RhemyD]

in the mix is also heavily sponserd by labels such as BMG and as such this kind of discussion wouldn't last long...

[Cupe]

lol gl with that

[Skank]

i agree that we need some sort of union to protect our interests as well when you think about it we are better then a billboard or tv commercial they should pay us to play their songs... but thats in a perfect world

[RhemyD]

Agreed! DJs supporting/playing tunes = sales.