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Sorry about the off-topic-ness, but if you're an independent musician, this important. In short, Sony blatantly ripped off some independent techno musicians by releasing a version of their song without their permission. For a more familiar issue, Island records (the ones who sued Negativland for thier U2 cover) released some unaltered Tape-Beatles work on an Orb album in 1993. It works both ways! Anyway, here's the forward: I know some of you my or may not have read about Sony Germany bootlegging an Underground Resistance track called 'Knights Of The Jaguar'. Please help support UR in their fight for justice! If you run an independent label, buy and support independent labels (whatever style), let this be a warning to you. Following is an explanation of what happened by Cornelius Harris (Member of UR).... ------- ...Recently, UR (Underground Resistance) has enjoyed the success of the track, "Knights of the Jaguar" by DJ Rolando. Recognizing that UR (Mad Mike, in particular) would be unwilling to license the track, Sony bypassed even making a request and has decided to release a "cover" version titled "Jaguar." Unconfirmed reports even indicate that promotional information on the records imply that it is a UR release. Cover versions traditionally have been done by fans of the original track as an homage to the original. In this case, it is being done as a method of undercutting the sales of the original. While this is an unethical and unprincipled act in and of itself, it is also a very dangerous act. In doing this, a major label, Sony, has determined that it has the right to stomp all over an independent label in its pursuit of profits. With this as a precedent, the question that should concern any and everybody in the music community is who will be next? It is imperative that Sony be held accountable for its actions. We are currently looking into whatever legal options we have as well as any other means to put an end to this. We urge all concerned individuals to flood Sony's offices worldwide with calls, emails, and faxes expressing those concerns. This kind of crap has to stop and it has to stop now. Anyone with any ideas, comments, addresses, or suggestions, please let me know. Some basic info follows. Any media folks, contact me privately. If anything could get Mad Mike out in the open, well...contact me. Peace, Cornelius Harris Underground Resistance ------ Now, read the following email sent to UR from Dirk Dreyer, A&R Manager @ Sony Germany, justifing his actions... ------ Please forward this message to DJ Rolando and Mad Mike Hello Rolando & Mike, sorry for not contacting you on this way earlier but I did not realise the relationship between Submerge and UR. I have found this adress on the Submerge webside. My only contact to you so far is __________ but I prefer the direct contact. As you sure know, our promo release of the cover version of your track from the 'Knights Of The Underground' EP is currently talk of the techno community. Let me explain the history of the idea and our point of view. I bought the 12" six months ago and enjoyed hearing the Jaguar whole summer. The feedback to the track is amazing, I have never seen people - no matter if house,techno and even trance fans - enjoying one tune like this one. It seems to be the first genre - crossover track for years since the split of 'techno house'from the early 90's to different styles and fanbases. In my way of 'industry thinking' it is a track worth to be available for lot of people, much more than just people going to yinyl shops. The philosophy of Underground Resistance not to cooperate with the industry is well known Your title names like 'message to the majors' and the liner notes on your records are not misunderstandable. I understand that you don't want to have any relationship with companies like Sony. Nevertheless we have tried to license the track for a compilation via our vinyl partner Discomania but we did not get a response. As we don't want to be seen as guys who rip off or bootleg a well known track, we have chosen the way of rerecording the track tone by tone. Indeed the new version has lost some of the typical Detroit flavour, what makes me still prefer the original. On the CD will be the original writer and publishing credits that you get the publishing money that you deserve. I know that you, Rolando, have met our promoter _________ aka ___________ when you played at Stammheim / Kassel. Please let me know your thoughts about the story. All I get so far is rumours. Kind regards Dirk Dreyer A&R Manager Sony ------ Have a listen for yourselves, the orginal track by DJ Rolando (UR) is at: http://www.submerge.com/real_audio/UR-049.ram and the Sony Bootleg is at: http://209.207.190.80/MP3/SF4147.MP3 Obviously Sony think that they can take anyones music, without permission, and re-release it without credit. I for one, don't want this to happen with music that I release on my label, and i'm sure most other producers wouldn't want a major helping themselves to your music. If you would like to support UR and in general, independent labels, please take the time to email/phone Sony Germany & Australia and let them know what you think. The contact details are below. Sony Music Entertainment (Germany) GmbH New Media/Business Affairs Att: Dirk Dreyer Stephanstr. 15 60313 Frankfurt Telefon: (069) 13888-0 dirk_dreyer@de.sonymusic.com Sony Music Entertainment (Australia) Limited Att: John Ferris 11 Hargrave St, East Sydney NSW 2010 Ph: (02) 9383-6200 dance_au@sonymusic.com Thanks for your time. Peace, Patrick HAF. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com