Hey John,

If you think the Internet Archive should keep existing and you care about the future of musicians, it’s time to take action.

Right now, major labels are suing the nonprofit Internet Archive for $621 million in so-called damages for streams of the 50-120 year old 78 records they preserve.¹ This suit could end the Archive, including its Wayback Machine. 350+ musicians including Tegan and Sara Quin, diiv, Open Mic Eagle, and Kathleen Hanna are calling on labels to drop the suit, can you join them?

SIGN THE PETITION

In the letter, musicians are also calling for action to protect the livelihoods and legacies of working musicians. The music industry is expected to surpass $100 billion by 2031,² yet working musicians are struggling to make ends meet.³ While corporate giants like Live Nation tighten their grip on touring⁴ and major labels profit from Spotify’s unfair streaming model,⁵ artists are left to fight for survival.⁶

With one hand CEOs are busy hiring lawyers,⁷ publicists,⁸ and lobbyists⁹ to push the narrative that music holds little value,¹⁰ and with the other they’re suing the Archive for $621 million over old recordings!

This is some BS. Will you join the musicians we’ve organized and call it out?

For dignity for all creative people,

Lia at Fight for the Future

Footnotes:

[1] Rolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/internet-archive-major-label-music-lawsuit-1235105273/

[2] Music Industry Blog: https://musicindustryblog.wordpress.com/2024/05/23/midia-research-2024-2031-global-music-forecasts-rise-of-the-global-south/

[3] Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/02/04/spotify-grammys-songwriters-payment-musicians/

[4] NPR: https://www.npr.org/2024/05/23/nx-s1-4977330/live-nation-ticketmaster-sued

[5] Techdirt: https://www.techdirt.com/2015/02/05/yes-major-record-labels-are-keeping-nearly-all-money-they-get-spotify-rather-than-giving-it-to-artists/

[6] The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/mar/28/new-law-how-musicians-make-money-streaming

[7] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fightfortheftr/video/7267303386683297067

[8] Loud and Clear: https://loudandclear.byspotify.com/#takeaway-7

[9] Open Secrets: https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recording-industry-assn-of-america/summary?id=D000000581

[10] The Music: https://themusic.com.au/industry/spotify-ceo-faces-backlash-after-saying-the-cost-of-making-content-is-close-to-zero/CpqwHB8eAQA/03-06-24