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The Music Relief Association is an
organization that began as the "International MIDI
Fight". No, that is not a misspelling.
Jack's Shack and Web Thumper closed. The
International Lyrics Server was shut down by the
Harry Fox Agency, then Laura's MIDI Heaven was
closed. Next came the very popular, Deb's MIDI
Haven.
When word got out that Deb had been sued for $6.6
million dollars, JoeRock, Steve McGill and Stijn
Driessen, with the help of others, created a web
site and started the email group called savemidis.
Joe and friends could not take care of the site and
the mail group, so it was left to others, in the
group, to carry on.
In order to be able to manage the mail group we had
to change the name and start a new one. That is what
you are a member of today.
For more than a year, the "fight" headed the wrong
direction, as no one really knew the details of what
had happened to Deb. Not many people knew that Deb
was not the first and would not be the last. Then in
August 2000, we slowly began to get the whole
picture and the Music Relief Association evolved.
Now we are beginning to hear that Harry Fox Agency
and BMI are on the prowl, threatening to sue people
for having certain "songs" on their websites.
What do we expect to accomplish?
The short term goal is to lend any
possible assistance to those that are being sued and
at the same time, help Mr Kern rid the internet of
"his" MIDI files.
The long range goal is to add the Personal Web Page,
that follows the Fair Use Guidelines, to the Fair
Use Section of the Copyright Act.
Even though, we would also like to see the demise of
the DMCA and the roll back of the time extension of
1998, we are not foolish enough to think we can
change anything that is already there. Since the
personal web page in a new phenomenon, and has not
been addressed, we see no problem.
Both goals are equally important!
Is this going to be a piece of
cake? NO!
Do we think we can do it? YES!
So far we have gotten "thank you letters" from
people who have availed themselves of the
information that we have been able to put together.
So, you see, part of our overall reason for being
here is being accomplished.
What have we done so far?
First, we have gathered information so
plaintiffs will be able to present their case.
We have served as a "combined-brain" to support
those in need.
We have links to all the Senators and
Representatives and their snail mail addresses. When
possible, we are calling and meeting with senators
and representatives.
We have a list of the committee members who make the
decisions on the Copyright Laws.
We have a
petition.
We have the URLs and addresses of thousands of
newspapers across the country, along with addresses
of the Major TV stations.
We have composed letters for the media, members of
congress, newspapers, ISP and servers, it is just a
cut and paste situation. Some are ready to go,
others are still being composed and refined.
We have been successful in getting some large
internet news sites to talk about us. We have our
URL on a "news" letter that is being sent to 100,000
people.
We are searching the web so we can report this
situation to MIDI sites that may be in danger. (Also
sites that could lend their support) We are
spreading the word so we can gain support. Maybe,
that is how you found us.
Washington listens to money and numbers. We do not
have the money to line Washington's pocket so need
to have the numbers.
Every member should contact everyone they know, any
mail groups they belong to, and any websites that
have music. There are real people behind those
sites. People who could be Kern's next victim. They
must be warned and then invited to join us.
We have a monthly newsletter that you can join. You
will not be bothered with the day to day mail, but
can add your support and keep up to date on what is
going on.
Problems are we facing?
We need people who have the time and
inclination to be able to work on the projects we
have set up, so PLEASE, let us know:
Where you are! What state or country?
How much actual time you can devote to getting the
job done?
Do you have any special talents, like lobbying,
writing, knowledge of the media or internet
providers, etc?
We also welcome people to come up with new ideas on
how to accomplish our goal.
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