Universal, the former record label for Nine Inch Nails, has canceled plans to host an official remix site for Nine Inch Nails’ Y34RZ3R0. According to Reznor, “Universal feels that if they host our remix site, they will be opening themselves up to the accusation that they are sponsoring the same technical violation of copyright they are suing these companies [MySpace, YouTube, etc.] for. Their premise is that if any fan decides to remix one of my masters with material Universal doesn’t own — a ‘mash-up,’ a sample, whatever — and upload it to the site, there is no safe harbor under the DMCA (according to Universal) and they will be doing exactly what MySpace and YouTube are doing.”
Ah, yes, the DMCA — doing its best to stifle creativity whenever possible. Make no mistake — this isn’t about art or music for Universal — it’s 100% about covering their ass. I can’t tell you how happy I am that Reznor has been “released” from his record contract. He’s already made a name for himself and his music; if this stunt is any example of the indispensable “services” a record company provides to their artist roster, he’s better off without them!
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