Ellen Is A Smooth Dancing Criminal
Okay, criminal is a not really what we'd call her. She just stole some music, kinda, sorta,…maybe. Depends on who you ask.
If you ask some of the world's largest music recording studios, the answer would be yes as they have all filed a joint suit against her show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, for using their music without licensing rights.
So we guess it's really not so much Ellen DeGeneres who's in trouble, though she is the one dancing to all the illegal beats and it is her show.
The suit was filed on Wednesday and the plaintiffs, which include Arista Music, Atlantic Recording Corp., Capitol Records, Motown Record Company, Sony Music Entertainment, Virgin Records America and Warner Bros. Records, claim the show has used copyrighted music without permission, including "recordings by virtually every major current artist of popular music."
When asked about why they never sought out licenses to use the songs, reps for Telepictures Productions explained they didn't "roll that way."
But the record companies are not amused, stating, "As sophisticated consumers of music, Defendants knew full well that, regardless of the way they rolled, under the Copyright Act, and under state law for the pre-1972 recordings, they needed a license to use the sound recordings lawfully."
Reps for the show insist that they have been attempting to strike a deal with "amicable and reasonable terms."
Translation - they don't want to pony up millions of dollars.
We don't see what the big deal is. A little exposure never hurt nobody and Ellen's show is a great platform.
Chill out, people.
[Image via WENN.]
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C'mon Perez … just because she is gay. Rules are rules … in the music business and in your business. What if someone plagarized your material without permission.
Grow up and quit being myopic.
Yes, that makes total sense. Sue her for playing your song that ultimatly is more exposure for that song. I mean, why would they want that??? People may actually go out and buy the CD/song. Oh my, terrible!!! People are idiots, I swear.
perezito, didn't I mentioned it to you this morning. Pay up Carpet Muncher !! and please stop dancing.
Hmmmm … her show has been on air how many years?? And only NOW someone says something with regard to the songs she plays at the beginning of each show when she dances in??? How many of the musicians whose music she plays have been on her show (Justin Timberlake and the ten billion times she played "4 Minutes"??) and not one said a word to her or her peeps about copyright in all these years?? I smell something else afoot here…
Aw, look at this!
The industry is making an example out of Ellen now because she's about to join the American Idol gang, who needs rights to use every single note to every single song that's ever been sung.
That's what happens when you go big(ger), I suppose…
Give me a break…think of all the music that sold Because she played it. Free publicity.
If it was anyone else you would be saying that she should pony up and pay. It's only because she's gay that you are defending her.
You really are an Idiot!
I used to buy music I would hear on Ellen because often it was older stuff I'd never heard or hadn't heard in awhile. If they give her that hard a time, I will quit doing that. It's dumb.
SERIOUSLY…
This is not a gay issue people. These record companies should be paying HER though.
She gave them exposure and probably sold a lot of CDs, etc for them. I hope they can turn this around on these mongrels.
Re: Plinkie9 – What does being gay have anything to do with it. Be real…
Sounds like the recording studios are really hurting for money.
It's their property, of course they have to get the rights… that's how it works. It may be good exposure for the artist, but that's how the law works.
Artists Like Justin Timberlake And Michael Jackson Will Continue To Sell Without The Help Of Ellen! What Was So Hard About Getting Permisson? It Would Of Actually Saved Them Money If They Would Of Gone Through The Proper Channels, Now Their Ignorance Of The Law Is Going To Cost Them Millions!
What's wrong with a little free publicity. You would think that most people would feel grateful that their music has been used on Ellen's show, cause many times that song sticks in someone's head and they may decide to purchase it. What's next? Are they gonna start going after DJs who play music in clubs?
oh come on people! Ellen has given so many artist great platform to promote their music! She even puts the song name and who sings it on the bottom of the screen when she dances to acknowledge the music! These people seriously need to chill…
How stupid is this? She plays music,on her show,giving the artists exposure (for free!) and they SUE her? WTF! This is crazy! Do they really need money THAT bad? Ellen love music,that's why she's gonna be the new judge on AI.
UGH!
It takes seven years to bring this issue up? Perhaps The Ellen Degeneres Show should start charging the record corporations/bands/artists promotional fees. Every time their song is played on a show or in a bar, that promotes the artist/band/record company and their work(s). While copyrights are important to protect the works of artists/bands, perhaps it should take into account what it does for the artist when their works are played. It increases their sales. Don't misunderstand, artists should make money and people should feel ashamed for illegally downloading, etc.; however, record companies, etc. should consider what is important to the publicity and sales.
I would say she is giving them FREE advertising, because anytime I hear a song I like and I didnt know who sang it, i run to iTunes and buy it, so chill out!!!
Exposure doesn't guarantee one will ever see a dime for the use of their song. Exposed yes - purchased? Maybe.
Paying for the use of a song ensures the artists are going to get paid. Ellen uses masters and masters aren't cheap. It would take over 10,000 people downloading a song at $.99 to reach what they would have been paid outright for the use of the song.
Paying for use ensures they actually get paid. Any downloads that happen after that are a bonus.
Should American Idol not have to pay for the use of the songs because 30 million people watch the show? Or Dancing with the Stars? Should a blockbuster movie not have to pay because millions will see it? See where this is going - all shows or movies expose a track which is why artists agree to have their music used. But I'll be damned if you think they don't deserve to get paid for their product. The possibility of profiting off downloads is not comparable to actually being paid upfront.
The music industry might as well shoot itself in the head now. The cancer is terminal.
Does anyone find it strange that this is coming up now. How many years has the show been on and playing music every show? hmmm…
Do you want artists to starve? It's the law to protect artists!!!
Lol…my school newspaper was highly conscious of copyrights, so it is rather weird that Ellen's show never thought to cover their a$$es. Even so, the show has been on for awhile so it is clear that these companies really don't give a damn about Ellen's show playing music clips. The bottom line is that Ellen is set to make a $hit ton of cash; the salary from being a judge aside, her show is going to rake in advertisement deals being so connected to AI. Let us also note that Warner Bros runs Ellen's show, and Warner Bros Records is one of the parties suing. This lawsuit is being generated by companies so economically intertwined that it seems like there is simply a desire to redistribute funds across the board….now that Ellen's show is going to get even bigger.
They need to chill. Really? It's just exposure. I wouldn't care if she used my song to dance to. No big deal! Jeez, recording companies have such big sticks up their asses. I can't believe they are bringing this up now.
While it is true that exposure is good, it is also true that there are licensing laws. Ellen using music is no different than Grey's Anatomy using music. How would Perez feel if Sliimy's music from Perez's label was used without permission and payment of licensing fees? I have a feeling he would have a different opinion if it affected his own pocketbook. And for a network to say 'we don't roll that way'? Ridiculous.
this makes nooooooooooooo sense. so stupid
I think it's heinous.
She has been doing this
for years&&they are just NOW
saying something to them?
Her show brings in people
of all ages, which in turn
exposes them to the music.
They should be paying HER to
use their music.
Hell, it's going to be bigger
now that she is the new AI host.
She's bringing in that crowd, too.
No doubt!! Ellen using their music on her very popular show can only be good for them!! They don't see that point of view. They are only looking at those dollar signs. It's not as if she's selling a product on TV with that music. What a joke!!!
I agree Perez!
isn't the exposure good for the artists & record companies????
Greedy Jews. These record companies make millions and then they wanna sue somebody.
Hahahaa, Love this. and yeah, it's only cause she's gay you're defending her. If it was someone else, you'd tell them to quit crying and pay. LMAO it kills me that because of who she is people are saying she shouldn't have to follow the rules. Regardless if it gave them free publicity, she still didn't GET PERMISSION
Really? As if record companies don't have enough money. So sickening. Everything is all about money with you Americans. Money, Money, Money no wonder bad shit happens. Everything is about the almighty dollar.
I rather doubt that she was even aware it was happening. That is what you have a production staff for-to handle those details. I imagine some heads will roll for this one.
Yea. Everybody's so damn money hungry. Sue for this, sue for that. She's been playing and dancing to these songs for years. It'll never stand up in court. They should have said something YEARS ago. Now, they did but, no money should be involved. Ellen, now needs to get her permission she needs and THE SHOW MUST GO ON! Love Ellen and you Perez
It's called royalties. Ellen is an entertainer and she knows the rules. She's worked in television and knows that she cannot play a music clip over a certain amount of time w/o paying. I'm sure the producers/production company as well knew this. Pay the royalties these other entertainers deserve and move on. Learn fucking copyright laws. If this was allowed it be a free market with no one getting paid residuals. Grow up.
wtf??? get off ellen!! promoting music for these artists.. yea theres a crime.. (even though i hope she never plays kanye again).. these record labels must be saddly desperate for some money.. get some actual talent in your studio and you wouldnt have to find ways to sue people. douche bags!