World War II Veterans Must Pay To Sing War Songs

[nsane.forums]

Music played an important part during World War II. It was used to boost the morale of both soldiers and civilians during the conflict and since then war songs have endured, particularly in the hearts of those that survived the fighting.

Although the casualties on all sides during World War II were absolutely horrendous, the losses suffered by the then U.S.S.R were staggering – almost 27 million people lost their lives.

Last September a World War II veterans choir held a concert in Samara, one of Russia’s largest cities. At the free event they sang those songs that helped them through the fighting and have provided them with nostalgia since.

However, the Russian Authors Society (RAS) has now filed a claim with the organizers of the concert. It appears that since the war songs the veterans sang are copyrighted, fees have to be paid to RAS. Understandably the veterans are pretty upset and many simply don’t understand what is happening.

“We sang to convey an educational message to our grandchildren,” said one performer. “And we have to pay for that? Is this not a crime?”

In order for the songs to have been performed legally at the event, a licensing agreement should have been entered into with RAS, something which was not done, says RAS Deputy Director, Oleg Partin.

The controversy prompted an announcement in the lower house of the Russian parliament that the Arts Committee should be convened immediately. Copyright is there to fight piracy, they said, not to fight veterans.

“This is nonsense! It is unacceptable that those who sing the wonderful songs of WWII will have to pay a bribe,” said Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov. “I believe that in this case insanity grows stronger and stronger. Now it has arrived at complete stupidity.”

On May 9th 1945, Russia celebrated the end of the Great Patriotic War. The 65th anniversary of that day arrives in just a few weeks and it now seems that RAS is trying to make amends for the hurt caused earlier. They are suggesting that changes should be made so that singing war songs on that day is a free activity.

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[shought]

I agree, obviously they should pay for singing those songs, I mean it's the big record labels and copyright protection groups that made possible the world we live in. They caused all good in our world and they even give to charities. People or organizations who give to charities can't possibly be bad, right?

I mean, it's not like these veterans did anything useful or they should be thanked for what they have done, is it? We should thank the big record labels for all the joy and safety in our world, it's not like they cause money to loose value by it being spend on worthless copies of songs.

Starting the serious part of this post:

But then again who should we blame for the money that is being spent on worthless stuff (don't understand me wrong, I do not claim that the artists or songs are worthless, I'm just claiming that these songs are worthless because the availability is infinite). Should we blame the people who ask that kind of money, or should we blame the people who are paying that kind of money?

(Just so we're clear, the thing about the veterans choir having to pay is bullshit just as like the fact that anyone who has ever 'performed' happy birthday in front of a group of people has to pay royalties (up to 700 dollar) to 'The Summy Company', because they own the copyright (will end in 2030 in the US and in 2017 in Europe).)

[HX1]

I think the companies should keep their ambulance chasers and BS where it belongs.. in the war and !@#$ slung between the people within the industry.. Nothing more than gold digging on the backs of the blood of the only thing keeps them alive and beating down the very thing music is to artistically represent.. Its not artistry anymore.. really..

I also believe that after a few years 3-5.. a song should be freely available.. maybe a little longer.. just depends..

But truthfully just the way I feel about.. I see a major artist on a label.. distributing and prancing around.. dragging their gold chains around.. and I am like I dunno repulsed by it anymore...

Its like saying love is still love even though you had to pay the !@#$% to get it... Everyone is in everything for what they want out of it.. songwriters artists.. real artist .. want to do nothing more than express their artisty the way the represent it.. This crap its nothing more than greed..

It a shame that laws don't cover this area or govern it as it should.. ANY law can be taken well outside of its intended boundaries and used for malicious means.. in the wrong manner.. I feel that GLOBALLY this i becoming more and more true to form by the individuals that the artist have chosen to represent them..

Keep in mind not all of this is just about the Veterans.. and the patriots.. its about what I get so sick of hearing and have for over 10 years.. You know how !@# !@#$ hard it is to sit and even listen to music anymore.. its almost mentally abusive and painful.. much like the ignorance... but its more of HUGE dump in the face of humanity...and everything they represent.. every part of their existence and the ability to even communicate between one another artistically for generation to come, to understand life and to be able to relate and understand things in life..

Where is this going to end.. with a REPO MAN ( British Version ).. coming to collect your brain because the royalties and the rights of songs you heard are now due and you can't pay.. Take advantage of people who have otherwise become useless to the GREAT YOUTHFULNESS of the world in the celebration of life.. I would have to napalm this whole planet to get that out the way.. But it always seems to the the same way each time targeted..

Not a rant.. read it with normal tone.... and realize these are only my opinions.. and how I support it.. Maybe its all the dub I listen to.. but man .. tear down the idols and do something for your own.. quit feeding the machine... and the corporations ... who will only misappropriate every ounce of kindness in the form of financial/emotionally/politically correct support or anything else..

[dMog]

I just hope that this is one of those made up stories to prove the idiocy of greed .... cause if this is true, we will get the same treatment if we get caught singing nursery rhymes to to babies and that will be a sign that the apocalypse is upon us...and i am not joking.