AfterDawn: News

EMI stays with IFPI, but only at reduced cost

EMI, one of the big 4 record labels, has announced that will remain a member of the IFPI, but only at a reduced cost. In December of last year the record label threatened to leave in an effort to cut costs but it seems that the trade group has struck a deal to keep them around.

At the time, EMI chairman Guy Hands made comments that implied that the IFPI made over $250 million USD a year from EMI and other companies, just for membership and other anti-piracy activities. Hands also told the IFPI they had until March 31st 2008 to reduce membership costs or see the label walk.



An IFPI spokesman added that both parties had agreed on a “sensible, appropriate and reasonable reduction in our budget.”

Jean-Francois Cecillon, president of EMI International added that the other Big 4 labels would see reduced rates as well. “We undertook to work with our colleagues in the other major labels and with (IFPI boss) John Kennedy on a cost saving plan for the IFPI. Together we have been able to find solutions which we believe are achievable whilst maintaining what the IFPI does best in representing our industry.”

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Mar 2008 17:25

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• 4 comments

• sgriesch

  "Your Mafia's to expensive for us to stay in. We don't need your 'protection' anymore", says EMI. The IFPI knows that if they start losing major labels, that they will fall apart, so they lowered the price of membership for the big group.
  This is similiar to what it feels like for me to shell out $14 for a CD. I know that in no way is it worth it, and I just won't do it anymore. If it's over $10, I don't buy it (and I usually forget about it a month later).

  10.3.2008 19:46 #1

• cart0181

  Ahhh, thanks for summarizing this article for me. I was a little confused at first. (seriously)

  11.3.2008 01:14 #2

• nobrainer

  Thankx to EMI being brought out by a private equity firm, they see that continually funding the RIAA/IFPI to sue college kids does not benefit artists and does little to combat piracy and seems EMI do not make DRM (unlike sony) they have little to gain from forcing Orwellian controls over media.
  

  The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  
  The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  
  The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above!
  
  The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.
  
  How do you stop anti consumer = its easy purchase only second hand media and avoid their propertarian hobbled by DRM hardware! http://www.boycott-riaa.com/

  11.3.2008 04:21 #3

• sgriesch

  Originally posted by nobrainer: Thankx to EMI being brought out by a private equity firm, they see that continually funding the RIAA/IFPI to sue college kids does not benefit artists and does little to combat piracy and seems EMI do not make DRM (unlike sony) they have little to gain from forcing Orwellian controls over media.That's exactly right. The sue the college kid for a on average $3000 settlement because he/she shared a few songs, but they lose that customer for life. I wouldn't want anything to do with someone who sued me (reguardless of who is right). The only thing that I would want would be revenge. I like EMI better than Sony, but they are still part of the problem if they are part of any of the mafias.

  11.3.2008 10:45 #4