Ever since CokeStudio was launched Fire Records came under the scanner for their unclear association with the CokeStudio. Initially it was expected that Fire Records will win the production rights of CokeStudio but it actually didn’t happen. What happened was that CokeStudio was made available for the viewers to download and share for FREE. Now this meant the music portals were free to share the video and audio songs with the fans, but we saw some interesting phone calls from Fire Records for the removal of the songs from different music portals.
Something similar happened to a popular local music blog, Koolmuzone.com, when the blog was called by the Associate Manager Geo TV. Hamad Dar, the Admin of that blog, researched and found out some interesting facts and the truth about Coke Studio’s production rights. He shared them on his blog and willingly agreed to share with Pakiology’s readers aswell.
On 9th of September, Mr. Fahd Khan, Associate Manager, Geo TV on a telephonic conversation claimed rights on some of the content that is being distributed freely on this site. Complying with them, I asked them to e-mail me the details along with the link, so, I may review and take actions. The email consisted of the links to “Rona Chor Diya by Zeb and Haniya (Cokestudio version)”. I responded back with details that they are trying to claim rights on Cokestudio content. I was replied back by Mr. Fahd that the content is protected under law and Fire Records are the right owners. Being unsure, I requested Mr. Fahd to look again in to the matter if removal is mandatory. I was responded back today, that yes, it has to be taken off. Complying with the record label, I took off the content and tried to look in to the matter myself. On looking in to it, I realized “Frequency Media” are the right owners of the content. I was confused and curious about the continuous warnings from the Fire Records. Why would Fire Records claim rights on the content which is property of “Frequency Media”?
On looking further in to it, I realized, when the song is released, two types of court documents are made. One is to protect the record label, while the other protects the song composer. Fire Records while signing up an artist makes the lump sum deals and buy the composition copyrights too. In an interview with Instep today, Dr Yezdani mentioned:
All other artists with Fire Records have been paid upfront. We purchase their rights and in return, they are paid in lump sum. In some cases, we make the videos and pay the rest. In some cases, the artist makes the video himself. I say we own the content because by paying a lump sum, Fire becomes the outright owner.
In the case of Cokestudio, while Frequency Media was the right owner and producer, the composition rights instead of being with Zeb and Haniya, stays with Fire Records. Fire records (in legal terms) isn’t playing foul, but is it playing fair in ethical terms?
I have couple of questions from you readers, please take out two-minutes and fill this survey.
- Should Fire Records (or any other record label) buy composition rights from musicians? or should composition be artists’ property?
- Would you like Cokestudio the way frequency media presented it (Free high quality Mp3s, videos, viewer’s friendly broadcast) or would you rather prefer the Fire version of it?
- Do you think that Fire Records should meddle in the cokestudio and change it the way they want being the right owners?
- Do you think Fire Records is gaining popularity or losing loyalty?
- Should Fire Records leave Cokestudio alone?
HI.
my personal opinion as an artist is, that fire records should keep there lump sum business on side and think of an artist career and let the artist come into main streamline by helping them but not forcing them to there KHANCHA system of bloody lump sum machine calculations, secondly Frequency media should stand firm on there coc, and dont let loose of it, as they (GEO) are pretending the kings in the media market, frequency some how can beat them up by and with the sheer support of high profile and upcoming artists.
Regards,
Adeel Pir