Musicians Fight for the Preservation of Music and Culture

Musicians for Fairness and Preservation Open Letter

The Musicians for Fairness and Preservation Open Letter clearly states, "We, the undersigned musicians, wholeheartedly oppose major record labels' unjust lawsuit targeting the Internet Archive. We don't believe that the Internet Archive should be destroyed in our name." Instead, the letter presents three alternative ways to improve the lives of musicians. By partnering with organizations like the Internet Archive, original recordings and music culture can be preserved. Musicians should be able to keep 100 percent of their merchandise sales, and vertical investments in streaming services like Spotify should end.

The advent of streaming services has already made it highly unprofitable to be a working musician. As the letter notes, factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Live Nation's monopoly on ticket sales have made it nearly impossible to perform without additional expenses. The original lawsuit by labels like Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group was specifically aimed at the Internet Archive's Great 78 Project, which aims to preserve music recorded on 78 RPM records. This project has over 400,000 recordings available for streaming, including music from renowned artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra. If the labels win the lawsuit, the Internet Archive could be liable for up to $621 million in damages for the music streamed through the Archive since 2006, as reported by Rolling Stone.

Internet Archive's Battle in Multiple Fronts

Music isn't the only area where the Internet Archive is engaged in a fight. The organization recently lost its appeal in an ongoing lawsuit with publishers over digital book lending. The Internet Archive claims that its digital book library can lend out eBooks under the fair use doctrine, but multiple judges have now disagreed. This shows the diverse challenges faced by the Internet Archive as it strives to fulfill its mission of preserving and providing access to various forms of cultural heritage.

The Internet Archive's work is crucial in safeguarding our musical and literary heritage. It provides a valuable resource for researchers, historians, and music lovers alike. By supporting the Internet Archive, musicians and the wider community can ensure that these treasures are preserved for future generations. The fight against the lawsuit is not just about the immediate interests of musicians but about the preservation of our cultural legacy.