WMG + YouTube = <3

Matthew Trevithick
Fuck the RIAA. Seriously. Do a Google search. Its stupid what they do.

Now, I for one, am all for Copyright. Well, maybe not copyright - more Creative Commons (I have more freedom of how I license my work). It keeps my art, such as photos and text from being improperly cited, or stolen and labeled under someone elses name. I like having things protected, and not in Public Domain. Which is where I can see Warner Music Group (WMG)'s problem with YouTube.

Every day, hundreds if not (possibly) thousands of videos are uploaded onto the video website, that include WMG artists' work, and nearly every time, it was done without prior permission from Warner. So, you may see your videos muted, or deleted completely, just because you didn't get permission to use the material in the video.

But that's where my problem starts.

Warner Music Group complains, even bitches, about the fact that their client's work is posted for free. Muting videos is the only way to go for them - never mind the fact that it completely mutes everything and not just the work in question. But as they continue to whine like a baby, they unfortunately lose points on the front that they don't make it easy to obtain permission.

That's what really aggravates me about the whole music industry in general. Everything is copyrighted, and locked down by a barrage of lawyers and people in suits, blocking requests left and right. Currently, the only way to acquire permission to use copyrighted work, is to call the Music Label directly, talk to a flack lawyer for a half an hour, and shell out licensing fees. Fees that usually cost hundreds of dollars.

And normal YouTube uploaders don't have hundreds of dollars to spend buying licensing fees, to put music in a video they just wanted to show their friends. If you hadn't noticed, that is why people use YouTube in the first place. To share, and to save.

Its pointless. Users who are uploading material (namely music) aren't doing it to get famous, or get profits - for one they can't - they are just doing it to share it with the world. This Warner Music Group, is called "free promotion", and you should take it like a child who doesn't know the answer to a question - smile and nod. Because with free promotion, who is winning here? Is it the person who's sharing the video, or is it the music label that's saving thousands if not millions of dollars? Especially in these tough economic times, you should see who has the advantage.

I started this rant, initially because one of my videos was muted on YouTube. Now I have to delete it, as they won't let me upload another to take its place. The annoying this about the whole thing, is that they didn't even tell me they muted it in the first place! They didn't send me an email or anything! Bad YouTube.

Warner Music Group. If you want people to stop posting copyrighted material that is created by your labels' clients, then make it easier for average people to get permission in the first place. Don't hide behind your lawyers in a lame attempt at grabbing fees and royalties. The artists themselves wouldn't be that selfish. Not the Proclaimers anyway.

Oh, the fuck the RIAA - you corrupt piece of shit.

Obama, it's Official.

Matthew Trevithick
CHAANGE?
Last Updated: Jan 21, 2009 - 11:23 PM

America has entered a new age in history, as Barack Obama was sworn into the White House, as Americas 44th President early Tuesday. The day was not only noted as historical because of the racial progress made, as Obama is the first President (who happens to be black, as Colin Powell eloquently put it), but because no other President in the history of the United States, has sparked such a frenzy among citizens.

In frigid temperatures, an estimated 2 million spectators squeezed into Washington’s National Mall, to watch the 44th President get sworn in; the crowd stretching all the way from the Capitol, to the Lincoln Memorial – one of the largest gatherings in American political history.

During the inaugural proceedings, which took place at about 11:30 AM EST, many familiar faces were seen – the remaining former Presidents, Carter, H.W. Bush, Clinton, and now W. Bush, showed up and made their way to the VIP seating, which overlooked the podium. Cheney was succumbed to a wheelchair, due to a back ache he acquired by lifting boxes on Monday. A special ramp was constructed for Cheney, as they wheeled him out of the White House, and into the limo that would take him to the Capitol. Barack and George W. followed shortly after.

Obama didn’t sugar coat the current economic status during his Inaugural speech. “Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age,” he said. He also noted the racial progress made, describing himself as a “man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant.”

He spoke to the crowd for about 20 minutes, after having taken the oath of office on the bible used by Lincoln back in 1861, at his first inaugural. No mention on what caused the fumble between Obama and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts. The right-wing pundits are already questioning Obama’s legitimacy as President, due to the accidental communication breakdown between Obama and Roberts – even though Obama officially became 44th President at noon – 8 minutes prior to the fumble. Roberts insisted on giving the Oath, without using notes. A move, he might reconsider doing for other events. Obama, Wednesday evening, had Roberts repeat the Oath of Office a second time, making sure that Obama was sworn in under the Constitution properly.

Even though the day represented joy, and a new change in American politics, sad news came during the Inaugural lunch at the Capitol, as news agencies learned that Senator Ted Kennedy, whom was diagnosed with Brain Cancer in May of last year, collapsed from a seizure. He was quickly attended to by Secret Service agents, and was taken away on a stretcher to a waiting Ambulance in under 10 minutes. It was reported that Kennedy was seen awake and talking at Washington Hospital Center, where he is still under care. Obama made mention of Kennedy during the luncheon, when he went to the podium to talk, “This is a joyous time, but also a sobering time. Our prayers are with him and his wife, Vicki.”

President Bush departed aboard the helicopter Marine One, which lifted off from the Capitol’s east side, transporting the Former President to Andrews Air Force base in Maryland. From there, Air Force One would carry the Former President and First Lady to Texas – a destination where Bush spent an unusually large amount of his presidency.

Fans lined along Pennsylvania Avenue, as the Presidential motorcade, with bullet-proof limos, SUVs, and secret service in full force, drove towards the White House. An unusual and un-timed move occurred during the parade, when Barack and Michelle exited the motorcade limo, much earlier than scheduled, to walk and wave to the crowd. No word yet of what was going through the Secret Service’s mind as this was going on.

After the new Presidential Family have observed the finish of the parade, and gone back inside where no press camera can see them, the Obama’s can look forward to a full night of celebration – at one of Washington’s numerous Inauguration Parties. They are scheduled to be finished at 2:30 in the morning. It's going to be a long night.

2009 MT News. This article is copyrighted under Creative Commons.

Coast Guard Releases Hudson Crash Video

Earlier today, the US Coast Guard released new video footage, of the US Airways flight, landing on the Hudson River. Actual video!

read more | digg story

A Short Conclusion

Matthew Trevithick
I wrote this late at night, cut me slack..

For the last 8 years, George W. Bush ran the country with a rickety wheel. He didn't always know where he was going, or why he was going, but he was just going. Come Tuesday, he will be going, going to Prairie Chapel Ranch, where - during his Presidency, he spent a combined total of 490 days, about 15 months over 77 visits of his 8 years in office.[1] When President Bush leaves the White House, President-Elect Barack H. Obama will move in along with his wife Michelle and his two daughters. The first African American to become President of the United States.

An estimated 2 million people are expected to show up in Washington to watch Obama's Inauguration at the Capitol [2], most of them standing in the -1 degree weather, as only 28,000 seats were available.

A long and tiresome road, has finally come to an end - 2 years on the campaign trail, full of hope, change, and Palin. Oh how we shall miss Palin, and her "small town, average Joe" ways. I put them in quotes, as the idea of them actually being considered fact is a bit of a stretch.

As the Bush reign winds down to a fortunate, and long awaited conclusion, history will judge the former President, not as a savior - not as a leader, but as an embarrassment. It had been speculated that the main cause of the global negative view of the United States, was all caused by a man in an oval shaped office. Sure makes you think just how much power that seat holds.

Lets just hope the plateau Obama has been lifted on, doesn't decide to break. No pressure, eh?

Breathe easy.