[opendtv] Kufala Recordings vs. the Evil Empire
- From: DISMO@xxxxxxx
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 29 May 2004 01:30:18 EDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kufala Recordings Challenges Clear Channel's Live Music
Patent as a 'Clear' Example of Trampling the Little Guy
LOS ANGELES, May 27, 2004 -- Recent headlines report that
corporate mega-giant Clear Channel Entertainment has
announced they have purchased a patent making it illegal for
any band to record their own live show, and sell that
recording day of show at the venue, unless the band pays
Clear Channel. Now virtually all performing artists
including bands like the Pixies, Billy Idol, and even Bruce
Springsteen run the risk that if they record their own shows
at any venue in the country, then sell the CDs that same
night, Clear Channel can and will go after the artists and
make them pay. Clear Channel's Instant Live director Steve
Simon has made it very clear that, "It is a business, and
it's not going to be 'we have the patent, now everybody can
use it for free.'"
The "David" to Clear Channel's "Goliath" is independent live
recording label Kufala Recordings. Led by label president
Brady Lahr, an outspoken champion of the "indie artist,"
Kufala actually stands the most to gain by Clear Channel's
outrageous assertion. Kufala Recordings provides a major
loophole for fans and artists who do not want to be
manipulated and controlled by Clear Channel Entertainment.
Through Kufala, fans can place orders at the venue and the
product is delivered within 2 weeks. Kufala's releases are
multi-track live mixes recorded at the show, that have been
studio mastered and creatively approved by the artist --
most albums are double-disc sets and all come in a sleekly
designed eco-friendly sleeve, each featuring unique artwork.
These high-quality "authorized bootlegs" are also available
for download on all major music sites from I-tunes to Net
Music, an independent digital music distributor.
Lahr explains, "Unlike the Clear Channel model of recording
and burning CDs at the venue, we simply record the music,
take it back to our studio for a proper mix and master, then
ship the live show recordings out to our artist's fans. Fans
place CD orders at the venue before, during and after the
show. They know they will be getting a great recording and
that the artist has approved the master. They also know that
the band actually owns the recording and will be paid for
sure. As artists and fans begin to figure out just how evil
the Clear Channel patent is, our business will open up even
faster."
Kufala has drawn a fighting line in the sand and is now
calling on independent artists and labels as well as artist
organizations to challenge Clear Channel's patent and its
grave monopolistic implications in the music industry.
Kufala, a "David" among entertainment industry "Goliaths,"
is now the only label with the ability to give artists a
real alternative to Clear Channel. Kufala and other leaders
in the music industry believe that the antitrust
implications of Clear Channel's live recording patent are
far reaching. "Clear Channel claims to own the patent but it
will most likely be struck down in court at the first
lawsuit. Lawmakers need to take heed because in fact, Clear
Channel is really using their monopoly in the market to
powerfully restrain trade above and beyond the patent
issue," explains Lahr. The Kufala business model is not
directly affected by Clear Channel's recent patent, however
Kufala has experienced first-hand Clear Channel's ability to
restrain trade when they barred Kufala from recording at one
of their venues - a restrain which occurred regardless of
the fact that the venue did not have recording capability,
not to mention that the artist, their major label, and a
non-Clear Channel affiliate radio station all requested
Kufala's services.
Lahr is making it known loud and "clear" to every label and
artist that Kufala offers the definitive alternative to
Clear Channel's claim to a monopoly on live show recordings,
with their own "Authorized Bootlegs System." Jason Pinsky,
another principal at Kufala, points out, "We may be the
little independent guy here but Clear Channel is laying
claim to be able to control an artist's ability to record
and sell their music at their own shows. This is the most
outrageous example of Clear Channel's monopoly in the music
industry yet, especially since Clear Channel has already
taken over all the major outdoor venues and most of the
radio stations and related playlists. Next Clear Channel
will claim it has a patent on allowing artists to sing in
their own showers!"
About Kufala Recordings:
Kufala Recordings is based in Santa Monica, CA and has been
releasing "Authorized Bootlegs" since July 2002. The
founding fathers and self-proclaimed music fanatics include
Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of Kufala and Brady Lahr,
President / A&R, who oversees all the day-to-day business
from international distribution deals to signing new
artists. The most recent addition to Kufala's management
team is Jason Pinsky, who heads up the East Coast division
of the company and manages all technological infrastructure.
Kufala has released "Authorized Bootlegs" for a multitude of
artists, such as New Riders of the Purple Sage, Soul
Coughing, The Rockfords (featuring Mike McCready of Pearl
Jam), and the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey - as well as a number
of deals on the table with both indie artists and those
signed to majors.
The extensive distribution offered by Kufala includes --
Indie Retail Distribution: working with the Indie Coalitions
(CIMS, AIMS, MusicMonitor, LINCS) as well as a network of
about 250 indie stores nationwide they sell directly to.
Digital: Apple iTunes, Real/Listen.com, MusicMatch (Dell and
Gateway digital stores), Liquid (Wal-Mart), MSN, Sony
Connect, MusicNow, AliveAudio.net, DiscLogic, Napster,
NetMusic, Emusic, and Audio Lunchbox (Artist branded players
for direct sales off artist and KUFALA sites), EMEP3.com -
Latin American Digital Distributor
International: UK/Fundamental, Japan/MusicCamp,
Portugal/Nucolour Records, Benelux (Belgium, Denmark,
Luxemburg, The Netherlands, and stores in Germany) - Records
are distributed through Bertus, Italy/IRD, New
Zealand/Migraine Distribution as well as deals in the works
with Australia, Sweden, and Germany.
For further detailed information or to set up an interview
with Kufala Recordings President Brady Lahr, please contact:
Karla Braun
Pure Public Relations
p) 323-651-4883
m) 310-382-6169
f) 323-443-3501
Or via email: karla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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