No Surprise: In the Digital Era, Territorial Licensing / Old Model Rights Practices Are Problematic

Yesterday, Pitchfork premiered the MP3 for Passion Pit's "Moth's Wings." We posted the track here shortly thereafter. Moments ago, we got a takedown message from someone claiming to represent Sony Music France, saying "please remove these copyrighted files." I am not removing the track. The track was clearly authorized as a promo track by Passion Pit's US label, Frenchkiss, as evidenced by Pitchfork's posting of the track, and by the top news item on frenchkissrecords.com, urging people to "go download it." Sony Music France, if you do indeed have a problem with this track appearing on the internet, you need to work it out with Frenchkiss. This is not a "blogs illegally leaking tracks" issue, this is an "antiquated and unworkable music rights" issue. It's a "2 labels with a common interest not communicating with one another" issue. Here at MBV, we respect ownership rights, and we respect artists and label's wishes. In this particular case, it seems that Sony Music France is the one not respecting them.

- Ryan Catbird