fairtrade or fairplay? for whom?

[Psalm Project]

Hi Folks...
'been a while since I posted - something is niggling me...
In my neck of the woods our churches are promoting 'Fairtrade' branded products for two weeks.
Now, why am I talking about this?
Well - in general, I am very supportive of the principles of 'Fairtrade' branded products.
It was during our homily on Sunday that something hit me like a freight train... (no smart comments now!)
Our clergy were spouting on about supporting those products which give citizens in far off countries a fair wage for their labours.
No problem there - I'm all for it... but, hang on a second...
In a very significant amount of churches up and down my country I see copyright material being used illegally and it does not seem to raise an eyebrow by those using this material.
I am a composer and I produce all my own printed material out of my own funds (usually bank loans). I get no support from my diocese or anyone else. I have found my own material being used without permission... the material IS available for purchase.
I am certain there are many composers out there who can tell the same story.
Now to the point - I firmly believe that charity ought to begin at home (especially in the current harsh economic climate)
It is a bit bit insulting and hypocritical when (some) churches can go on and on about the injustice of not paying labourers a fair price for their efforts.
Am I not entitled to the same? Composers are entitled to remuneration for their efforts. Illegal copying deprives composers of their livelihood and many churches seem to think it is acceptable to copy willy-nilly.
I could say 'wake up and smell the coffee' - but, that might be taken in 'bad taste'!!!
That's my carp for today.

[Nick Baty]

I'm sure we would all agree with you. It's a problem that's existed since plain paper copiers become more widely available – the feeling was "if they don't mean us to use them, why have we been given them?"

There's also the issue of many parishes not having a music budget – I'm not saying they can't afford it, just that they don't put money aside – and so many parish musicians think they're being kind to the parish by running off a few copies at lunchtime on the office photocopier. I don't there's any malice intended.

Had a long discussion on this one with one of my younger students today. He couldn't understand why uploading someone's intellectual property to the Internet was theft. He was convinced that people would still buy said books, music, pictures etc and that the free web versions were simply making the product better known.

This situation will probably get worse. I work with 16-19-year-olds and with post-grads aged from 25-40. They all share the philosophy of, as so much is available for free on the net, why buy a copy? Again, no malice is intended and they do not realise that they are depriving someone of their income. But, quite simply, we now live in a culture of free downloads.

[Psalm Project]

try downloading a free coffee next time in a cafe!
I'm sure a young student will have no problem

[JW]

I can sympathise. I tried out a newly written setting of the 'Lamb of God' last Sunday. By the time I'd finished the final voluntary and rehearsed a psalm with a cantor, the choir had trotted off with all the copies I gave them....

Now I know I intend to make this setting freely available but it hasn't even been submitted to the PANEL yet. I wonder where it might end up