The Internet Archive is alienating major record labels, including Capitol, Sony and UMG Recordings. They are suing the organization for copyright infringement because it digitally preserves a collection of vinyl records from 1898 to 1950.
Internet Archive is a project founded by Brewster Kahle, aiming to archive and preserve books, audio content, films or web pages in the form of a huge digital library. It must be believed that this has displeased some record companies, who are filing a complaint in federal court in Manhattan. They accuse the organization of violating the copyrights of more than 2,700 works recorded by artists who are no longer in this world.
The fight for the preservation of historical records
Launched in 2017 by the Internet Archive, the “Great 78 Project” aimed to conserve and preserve the immense heritage wealth of 78 rpm vinyl recordings. By carrying out this project, it allowed the public and researchers to have access to certain musical nuggets from the past.
As part of this conservation project, more than twenty collections had been selected and digitized. This titanic work was produced in collaboration with George Blood LP (an audio and video archive service located in Pennsylvania) and the Contemporary Music Archive in New York. Among the works selected: pieces by Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong or Frank Sinatra.
Copyrights and Illegal Distribution
The record companies concerned do not see Great 78 Project very favorably. They claim that this project is used as a cover to allow the illegal distribution of musical recordings. According to their view, the Internet Archive has freely reproduced and distributed thousands of audio contents illegally. These recordings, protected by copyright, should not have been broadcast in this way because the rights holders could not benefit from the said broadcast.
When the Internet Archive and its defenders campaign for public access to historical musical heritage, record companies fight back and cry foul. The trial is underway and we will see who wins: cultural preservation or the sacrosanct copyright. What is certain, however, is that neither the Internet Archive nor the plaintiffs will allow themselves to be pushed around during this legal procedure.
Source : Torrent Freak
11