Is SoundCloud Caving to Industry Pressure?

Image courtesy of aspergercafe.wordpress.com

Have you or someone you know been a victim of SoundCloud’s content ID system? Maybe your original content has been flagged as copyrighted material and snatched from the website or your attempt to log in failed because SoundCloud shutdown your account. Whatever the case, some SoundCloud premium users are furious about the new copyright policy.

Back in 2011, SoundCloud partnered with Audible Magic, a media identification and copyright tracking provider, to identify copyright breaches and to automatically remove the content in question. They allegedly, “received an overwhelming amount of copyright claims from lawyers representing major record labels.” The idea was to prevent piracy of protected audio files. Sounds good, right? Wrong! SoundCloud claimed that, “The system is used primarily for identifying audio that rightsholders have requested to be taken off SoundCloud.” However, innocent users are being affected. Artists creating originals have complained about “takedown” issues. Their tracks were targeted simply because the content ID system's automated scanner detected the slightest similarity (a sound) in the music. That’s a little excessive!

Image courtesy of Digitaldjtips.com

To make matters worse, the new copyright policy bands the use of bootlegs, mashups and mixes.No mixes? Come on SoundCloud! I guess it’s time for DJs to find a new home because SoundCloud isn’t interested. What a way to limit the artists’ ability to promote their music and restrict creativity.

French DJ and producer, Stephan Hedfors, refuses to go down without a fight. About a week ago, he created a petition requesting SoundCloud to change its new policy.  Hedfors believes SoundCloud was an exceptional promotional tool prior to the ridiculous copyright policy changes. Now he thinks the website is nothing more than a bunch of “fancy audio players.”

How will SoundCloud’s new copyright policy affect your business? If you are like most artists/managers, these changes could have a detrimental effect on your future in the music industry. This is your chance to be heard. Click HERE to sign Stephan’s petition!

Thanks for reading!