Radiohead To Testify Against RIAA?

Radiohead have indicated that they will testify against the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America ) in a landmark case against a Boston student, cementing their support of file-sharing.

According to TorrentFreak.com (a blog which is renown for being somewhat sensationalist), the miserablist blip-pop pioneers are likely to defend Boston University student Joel Tenenbaum when the RIAA take him to court.

Back in 2003, file-sharer Tenenbaum rejected an offer to settle with the RIAA for $500. After a few more settlement attempts and legal quibbles, the case is once again headed court-wards.

Speaking to TorrentFreak, Tenenbaum’s legal team confirmed that they have been talking to Radiohead's representatives and that they responded positively. When asked whether Radiohead would support he case, the student's legal team said: "We met with Radiohead’s manager two weeks ago here at Harvard Law School. Professor Nesson [Tenebaum's lawyer] walked away with the impression that their manager agreed to do so."

It remains unclear whether the band themselves will appear in court or simply issue a supportive statement, however, we suspect it's more likely their management, who're involved with the Featured Artist Coalition, will appear with the band's blessing.

Thanks for the report to Drownedinsound.com.

Comments

[jammyninja]

"miserabilist blip pop" .....twatty "journalist".

Kudos to Radiohead whether they appear in court themselves or not (most likely not).

[RedDevil07]

jammyninja wrote:

"miserabilist blip pop" .....twatty "journalist".

Kudos to Radiohead whether they appear in court themselves or not (most likely not).

Yeah I agree with ya. Whoever wrote this obviously doesn't have a clue what he's talking about.

[flashmdg]

wow, looks like we can all download radiohead with no problems then

[Equivalence]

lol at ignorant journalist being ignorant

beside that, hope they win. music industry tends to be rather strange these days, although I'm not fully aware of this case

[Heid]

If more bands can come out and support things like this then the public will realise that it's mainly the record companies that are bothered about file sharing and not the artists themselves.

[BassFishin]

Man, thats so awesome of them. Thats a class act right there.

[The_Paranoia]

Is RH giving me the green light to download their EP's!?!?

Go Radiohead.

[ndschroede23]

Heid wrote:

If more bands can come out and support things like this then the public will realise that it's mainly the record companies that are bothered about file sharing and not the artists themselves.

I support file sharing, but I disagree with the notion of the record companies being evil. How is it ok for record companies to take a financial hit but not the musicians? If one's immoral then they both are.

I just think that if the record companies (or anyone) don't want us to download music illegally, they should find a way to legitimately stop it. Until then, the rewards greatly outweigh the risks and people will continue to do it.

[brentondig]

That'd be pretty sweet if the band themselves showed up in court. I'm sure the kid won't lose the case. I mean, quite a few music fans nowadays wouldn't know of half the bands they listen to if it wasn't for filesharing (at least regarding obscure and otherwise inaccessible music).

[on3andth3sam3]

[quote]I support file sharing, but I disagree with the notion of the record companies being evil. How is it ok for record companies to take a financial hit but not the musicians? If one's immoral then they both are.

I just think that if the record companies (or anyone) don't want us to download music illegally, they should find a way to legitimately stop it. Until then, the rewards greatly outweigh the risks and people will continue to do it./quote]

well, if recording equipment, and advertising take a major pay cut off every album i sell, i hope i never become a major atrist.

[raimo]

Whats the story behind this?

[thedarkblues06]

When asked whether Radiohead would support he case, the student's legal team said: "We met with Radiohead’s manager two weeks ago here at Harvard Law School. Professor Nesson [Tenebaum's lawyer] walked away with the impression that their manager agreed to do so."

A token to the finesse of American's fantastic journalism. Because he had an "impression that ... manager agreed...", that obviously means that Radiohead is testifying against the RIAA themselves...

Another reason why I hate some parts of my own country.

[adambauman31]

Radiohead gave their InRainbows album away via free download from their own website. They wanted people to pay what they wanted, whether it be 10 cents, 10 dollars, or nothing, so you could name your own price.

[Gakbez]

FIGHT THE POWER.

[ndschroede23]

on3andth3sam3 wrote:

[quote]I support file sharing, but I disagree with the notion of the record companies being evil. How is it ok for record companies to take a financial hit but not the musicians? If one's immoral then they both are.

I just think that if the record companies (or anyone) don't want us to download music illegally, they should find a way to legitimately stop it. Until then, the rewards greatly outweigh the risks and people will continue to do it./quote]

well, if recording equipment, and advertising take a major pay cut off every album i sell, i hope i never become a major atrist.

But it's with recording equipment that you're able to make more refined music and it's with advertising that your album reaches more people and you get more people to come to your shows.

[Macabre_Turtle]

Don't even listen to them, but ****in' kudos.

[Wiirdo]

Nice. I really didn't want that guy to be prosecuted.

[betrayedloyalty]

I love Radiohead even more now!! They're real artists, not doing it for the money, but to just play music and let people listen.

[shredtildeath]

Hate this band, but they have my ****ing respect. Like anybody these days would be stupid enough to buy an album without hearing it first. And now whole albums can be heard on youtube anyway.

[pinballwizard92]

His last name is Tenenbaum???

University student Joel Tenenbaum

That's the coolest thing probably ever.
Go Wes!

[GUNIT!]

This is news.

[Slashrulz]

shredtildeath wrote:

Hate this band, but they have my ****ing respect. Like anybody these days would be stupid enough to buy an album without hearing it first. And now whole albums can be heard on youtube anyway.

I read an interview yesterday where Ed O´brien said, and I quote "Please don´t buy our albums, you can listen to them on youtube anyways"

[Slashrulz]

Refering of course to the pre In Rainbows records.

[dgme92]

The RIAA are just a bunch of money-grabbing *******s anyway. I know they want to protect their interests, but damn, at least pay artists a fair share of the profits before you give out about people stealing.

[Comeback Kiddd]

Kill the RIAA with your amazing music Radiohead. Invite Trent Reznor while your at it

[burndttoast]

Slashrulz wrote:
I read an interview yesterday where Ed O´brien said, and I quote "Please don´t buy our albums, you can listen to them on youtube anyways"

Do you think you can link that article? I would like to read it too.

[Slashrulz]

Do you think you can link that article? I would like to read it too.[/quote]

Sure! it´s a really long interview, but it´s a really cool one.
They talk about it half way in the interview.
http://www.radioheadperu.org/breakfast.html

[Slayer2]

very interested to see how this all plays out

[Lotz222]

This makes me hate Radiohead more. Sry guys but you think they would being doing this if they didn't have the fanbase as they do now. Hell no. It truly is giving the big middle finger to all the music industry emlpoyees (not the executives but the ones that actually make it happen) who worked hard to promote and get their name out. They need to stop being so anti everything and just walk away. Walk away radiohead, just walk away and i will spare your lives. F-in douches.

[altgrunge]

How do you know Radiohead wouldn't do that if they didn't have as big of a fanbase? You have nothing to back that up. I'm glad to see a band actually stick up for the artistic side of music instead of the business.

[guitarheroII]

Hope Jonny melts their mother blippin faces off with a guitar effects solo. Cheers Radiohead. You always will be me fav. band.

[Tallman1984]

"a blog which is renown for being somewhat sensationalist), the miserablist blip-pop pioneers"

Hmmm... uninformed biaist much??

[joker_thief]

Lotz222 wrote:

This makes me hate Radiohead more. Sry guys but you think they would being doing this if they didn't have the fanbase as they do now. Hell no. It truly is giving the big middle finger to all the music industry emlpoyees (not the executives but the ones that actually make it happen) who worked hard to promote and get their name out. They need to stop being so anti everything and just walk away. Walk away radiohead, just walk away and i will spare your lives. F-in douches.

um...no sir. radiohead have always been this way and aren't doing it to be stuck up like you perceive them to be.

[jaybals]

joker_thief wrote:

Lotz222 wrote:

This makes me hate Radiohead more. Sry guys but you think they would being doing this if they didn't have the fanbase as they do now. Hell no. It truly is giving the big middle finger to all the music industry emlpoyees (not the executives but the ones that actually make it happen) who worked hard to promote and get their name out. They need to stop being so anti everything and just walk away. Walk away radiohead, just walk away and i will spare your lives. F-in douches.

um...no sir. radiohead have always been this way and aren't doing it to be stuck up like you perceive them to be.

why do so many people in the so called 'music industry' want it to be all about the money
radiohead have always supported what the believe in, and they dont give a s**t if the companies like it! and thats why radiohead are superior people to all those money grabbers we have now!

[guitaringnathan]

i actually dont like downloading albums. i love going to the store and taking the itme to pick out a cd then immediately listening to it on my way home. and then you gaze at the artwork and pictures in the booklet, hard to beat that. i think if they lowered cd prices down to maybe 7 or 8 dollars instead of 14 or 15, then alot more people would buy music, because it is expenseive

[Kegan]

Lotz222 wrote:

This makes me hate Radiohead more. Sry guys but you think they would being doing this if they didn't have the fanbase as they do now. Hell no. It truly is giving the big middle finger to all the music industry emlpoyees (not the executives but the ones that actually make it happen) who worked hard to promote and get their name out. They need to stop being so anti everything and just walk away. Walk away radiohead, just walk away and i will spare your lives. F-in douches.

They have the right to say whatever they think about the state of music. They're not badmouthing record executives who have been good to them, they're reconsidering the state of a crumbling industry.
Clearly, you're only disinterested and spiteful of Radiohead's success.

[Lotz222]

joker_thief wrote:
um...no sir. radiohead have always been this way and aren't doing it to be stuck up like you perceive them to be.

[/quote]jaybals wrote:
why do so many people in the so called 'music industry' want it to be all about the money
radiohead have always supported what the believe in, and they dont give a s**t if the companies like it! and thats why radiohead are superior people to all those money grabbers we have now![/quote]

Kegan wrote:
They have the right to say whatever they think about the state of music. They're not badmouthing record executives who have been good to them, they're reconsidering the state of a crumbling industry.
Clearly, you're only disinterested and spiteful of Radiohead's success.

For reply #1
Of course, i'm sure they are very down to earth people who are about the fans, BUT the RIAA is about control and of course money. They are protecting the men and women who work for the record industries and the artists themselves. If Radiohead wants to put there music out free and let people pay what they want, all for them. But in this case, if they do something like this they should never, ever, ever, ever work with a large manufacture such as BMI EMI, ect. every again. In my mind they would be hypocrites.

For reply #2
You just have no clue how the world works and just out of your element in this conversation.

For reply #3
You are very right on how the state of music is and that they want to help. But this is the best thing they could come up with? I'm sure they know for details about the music industry then i do, but i do have great knowledge of the business world and this is something that would just give the wrong image. ESPECIALLY all the young individuals on this site and the world (fans and non-fans). FOR EXAMPLE.....

j

The_Paranoia wrote:
Is RH giving me the green light to download their EP's!?!?
Go Radiohead.

i bet now he or she thinks its ok.....

[<Paper Cuts>]

flashmdg wrote:

wow, looks like we can all download radiohead with no problems then

I haven't had any problems,lmao.

[thewho65]

This is amazing, but who wouldn't settle a case with the RIAA for $500 and be done with it? His purpose is obviously something larger...

This only makes me love Radiohead more. It's really quite amazing, they know all their demos and early stuff are out on the internet, but it's like an unspoken agreement that the fans seek it out. I think they just got more brazen ever since the "Best Of" conflict with EMI and the recent deluxe releases.

[Super Llama]

guitaringnathan wrote:

i actually dont like downloading albums. i love going to the store and taking the itme to pick out a cd then immediately listening to it on my way home. and then you gaze at the artwork and pictures in the booklet, hard to beat that. i think if they lowered cd prices down to maybe 7 or 8 dollars instead of 14 or 15, then alot more people would buy music, because it is expenseive

I totally agree with you. I like having the actual album because it gives a lot more character to the music. For example, Cake's B-sides and Rarities album. I can't listen to that cd without thinking about that nasty perfumy stench that came with the cd.

[rancidryan]

so what radio head are sticking up for the torrenter?

wtf :S

[dustyboy316]

wow, not a Radiohead fan but they definetely have my respect.

[toyboxmonster]

What the **** is a blip blop?

[ndschroede23]

guitaringnathan wrote:

i actually dont like downloading albums. i love going to the store and taking the itme to pick out a cd then immediately listening to it on my way home. and then you gaze at the artwork and pictures in the booklet, hard to beat that. i think if they lowered cd prices down to maybe 7 or 8 dollars instead of 14 or 15, then alot more people would buy music, because it is expenseive

In a sense, I agree. I do download albums illegally, but it's because it's way less expensive and way easier than driving to the store. If the music industry weren't in decay and we actually saw decent CD prices, I'd get myself a hard copy. An album feels more tangible when it actually is in your physical possession, but unfortunately I also like the physical possession of my money and won't shell it out for prices that are double what most are willing to pay.

[SmittyBaGitty]

another band like coldplay that needs to fall off the face of the earth, no the universe!

[JESUSbaby]

Lotz222 wrote:

For reply #1
Of course, i'm sure they are very down to earth people who are about the fans, BUT the RIAA is about control and of course money. They are protecting the men and women who work for the record industries and the artists themselves. If Radiohead wants to put there music out free and let people pay what they want, all for them. But in this case, if they do something like this they should never, ever, ever, ever work with a large manufacture such as BMI EMI, ect. every again. In my mind they would be hypocrites.

While I do see where you're coming from, let's not forget they did sign to EMI before piracy was really a big issue to the general public, and I'm no expert in record contracts, but I believe they do have to fill their obligation to the company unless they break up, hiatus, etc...

[rhcp3]

proves radiohead likes music for music. not the money!

[Cianyx]

Let me get this straight...

He refused to pay a $500 settlement? I believe he ended up paying more by further pursuing this case.

[Sell Out]

I hope NIN comes out and supports them too, Trent Reznor seems to have a strong hatred of the Record Industry (and with good reason)

[greenwoodfan93]

lol @ the picture of 'radiohead' just being thom

[Metal_Militia15]

Now testify!

[flame_mc]

rhcp3 wrote:

proves radiohead likes music for music. not the money!

It doesn't really ''proves it'' , but you could think that.

[chewychuckels]

i dont like radiohead.

But goddamn do I respect them

[Gouged]

Miserablist blip-pop?

WTF is this person on?

And second -
I really don't care about the failing music industry. Make music and share it with others. That's what counts.

[TDKshorty]

Fucking B.A.

[SatanPriest]

Good for them.

I download albums, but only if its band I'm not crazy about, or if the people in the band are dicks (I'm good at getting backstage). If its a band I really love or respect I'll get the album, but usually at used CD stores. 3 CDs for the price of one, I can't afford to skip out on that. Plus used CD stores have a better selection of experimental/weird music than retail, and I love the underground aesthetic.

[fitterhappier34]

The_Paranoia wrote:

Is RH giving me the green light to download their EP's!?!?

Go Radiohead.

I did. :P

miserablist blip-pop pioneers

I hope this journalist kills himself. With fire. Lots and lots of fire. Idiot.

[drivenunder4]

Even though this has nothing to do with the legal battle deal I found out radiohead is not the first band to do the pay what you want thing. There not as revolutionary as we thought! In fact it was an unsigned band from Tennessee named Cooper.they did it back in '04 I thing on their album "the fragile fall" I must say those guys should seriously be signed. They're FRIGGIN catchy! I'm pretty sure the CD is still pay what you want on their website. If you google the album i'm sure you'd find it

[fitterhappier34]

SmittyBaGitty wrote:

another band like coldplay that needs to fall off the face of the earth, no the universe!

- a googolplex of googolplexes.

[symbiont]

I'm glad to see some bands siding with the fans or as the RIAA and associated groups would refer to them, "criminals". There is already a lot of resistance to RIAA's lawsuits and quite frankly, without support like this from bands, they would get away with a lot more than they do now.

[ndschroede23]

chewychuckels wrote:

i dont like radiohead.

But goddamn do I respect them

From deep down in my stomach, with every inch of me, I pure straight hate you. But goddammit, do I respect you.

Today, we spell redemption "R-O-N."

Checked

[Abudabbi]

This is indeed a good thing. Thom Yorke has become a great man in my eyes the past year or so; I've never had a thing for Radiohead's music, but with his In Rainbows experiment, putting Hannah MonCyrus in her place after the Grammys incident, and now this, I view him as part of the small beacon of hope for humble free expressionism and the in-it-for-the-fans mentality that are sadly disappearing in the modern music industry. To be well played, Mr. Yorke.

[b_flo]

Remember, bands make their money on tour, not records. Radiohead is looking out for the average person. Great band!...and that thing with Miley Cyrus...now these guys know how to teach a teen diva a lesson!

[Ali-b912]

Blip-pop makes them sound like a 1 hit wonder band. I'm not a big fan of radiohead, but they certainly have a lasting career.

[gallagher2006]

File sharing is the modern day equivelent of getting your mate to copy their new CD to a tape for you to listen to in the mid 90s...it's not like people are selling it on, so I don't see the problem.

I guess it's just because it's on a grander scale, but the principle remains the same.

[cpick2014]

and then theres metallica...

[nick_kcin]

any true artist should want their work to be experienced by as many potential fans as possible regardless of whether or not they make money from it. and yes, record companies are indeed evil if you view things from that perspective

[pbpyro91]

go radiohead!
power to the people!

[sykguitaryst]

ahhhh, i love radiohead more and more lmfao, personally i d/l everything first to check it out and buy it if i like how it sounds. why cant it be that way legally? well... without the gay "single" thing being tacked on there :\ if you couldnt d/l music we would all be exposed to shitty music like soulja boy. cuz sick shit doesnt really come on the radio or tv.

[dullsilver_mike]

So much romanticising about the "authenticity" of rock music, and made up myths about how the inudstry has beoome more and more greedy.

The music industry handled digital distribution in the worst possible way, turning their customers into criminals. That said, money, greed, and business are what made all the popular art of the last 60 years happen and the record industry has always been just as much about money as it is today.

All this tension arises because our cultural texts happen to be privately owned. Of course money can't be seperated from artistry unless that is magically changed.

[Wakisazhi]

JESUSbaby wrote:

Lotz222 wrote:

For reply #1
Of course, i'm sure they are very down to earth people who are about the fans, BUT the RIAA is about control and of course money. They are protecting the men and women who work for the record industries and the artists themselves. If Radiohead wants to put there music out free and let people pay what they want, all for them. But in this case, if they do something like this they should never, ever, ever, ever work with a large manufacture such as BMI EMI, ect. every again. In my mind they would be hypocrites.

While I do see where you're coming from, let's not forget they did sign to EMI before piracy was really a big issue to the general public, and I'm no expert in record contracts, but I believe they do have to fill their obligation to the company unless they break up, hiatus, etc...

Actually they fufilled their contract obligations with EMI and left them because they found them to be very undeseriable and more or less pressuring them to do it more for the money and being less than flexible about letting them do their own thing.