Jari Ketola
5 Apr 2001 13:42
Alanis Morissette and Eagles frontman Don Henley have both testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee's hearings on the future on on-line entertainment.
During the hearing in Washington, D.C., Morissette and Henley both talked about how artists tend to be dissed by the big labels when it comes to Web-based music. Both singers also voiced their support for Napster and urged Congress to heed artists' concerns if they decide to write any laws regarding the future of the recording industry.
"Though I cannot speak for every artist, my initial resistance to the new services created online was based on the debate having been framed in terms of piracy. Being labeled as such by the record companies, it understandably sent a ripple effect of panic throughout the artistic community. But what I have since come to realize is that for the majority of artists, this so-called 'piracy' may have actually been working in their favor," Morissette told the committee.
The singer acknowledged that Napster has actually benefited many artists by giving them a direct link to their audience, as well as helping them sell concert tickets and promotional merchandise.
As we know, Napster is looking for a licensing deal similar to what currently exists for radio stations. It remains to be seen whether or not the opinions of the artists have an effect on the legislators.