Pink Floyd Trounce EMI In Battle Of The Downloads
Pink Floyd have won a legal tussle with their label EMI – and it was all over the interpretation of a contract that’s more than 40 years old.
EMI wanted to be able to sell individual Floyd tracks as downloads. Not surprisingly Floyd objected, insisting they are an albums band. The whole thing hinged on how the High Court decided to interpret a clause in the label contact the band signed in 1967. This states that EMI have ‘no rights to sell any or all of the records as single records other than with (Pink Floyd’s) permission’.
EMI insisted this only applies to physical product – in those days that would have been seven-inch singles – but the band say this is applicable to downloads as well.
In a triumphant victory for the Floyd (and old-fashioned album lovers) the High Court ruled today that the band’s tracks may be removed from digital services like iTunes.
In court, Chancellor Sir Andrew Morritt said the contract meant EMI was “not entitled to exploit recording by online distribution or by any other means other than the original album, without the consent of Pink Floyd”.
The ruling leaves ailing EMI with £40,000 costs and the prospect of a further fine.
Not a Floyd fan (though I cannot deny the greatness of Wish You Were Here) but I’m glad some one is still sticking up for the album.
I’m a Floyd fan and the remaining members have every right to stick up for the album as a complete entity.
What really grinds my gears, though, is the failure of EMI to get remasters by Kate Bush organised, with relevant b-sides, or to issue the whole ‘Live At Hammersmith Odeon’ show on DVD. And why wasn’t Another Day (her duet with Peter Gabriel) released as a double A-side with ‘This Woman’s Work’ after the last was used in the NSPCC ad?
Floyd won their case !!!
i’m not surprised by this. it’s another example of a record company trying to screw as much as they can from an artist with no regard for their integrity as a band or what the contract says ( unless it’s in the record companys favour)
Wish the Floyd would release a DVD of the Wall live.
Er…much as I’m a huge fan of Floyd…who got all the dosh when Echos (complilation album) came out?
Sadly, very little video of the Wall concerts exists.
They did attempt to film the 1981 shows, but technology was not advanced enough for quality recordings in the lighting conditions.
Also, at the time home video was not widespread and the market was limited so record companies were not prepared to back such ventures.
Go Pink Floyd!!! Ur the Best!
Hugh Pink Floyd fan, I’m happy won their court case.
floyd r magic