Eric Clapton and Bootlegs

[the visitor]

Hi all

I see that Eric Clapton has successfully won a legal case against a widow for putting a bootleg CD for sale on ebay, one of her late husbands collection.  She took it off sale but he still took her to court and she had to pay 2,500 dollars costs.  Kind of crazy.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/german-woman-fined-eric-clapton-bootleg-ebay-1273130/

Clearly MK is a much nicer person, but it did get me thinking given the fact it is really easy to find Dire Straits bootlegs for sale on mainstream record shop sites these days that there is really an unfulfilled demand for old material. I know all the arguments why MK doesn't want to look back and that is fair enough, but surely just put the recordings out there rather than let at worst organised crime and at best dedicated fans have to do the hard work of putting otu material that we all want.  Who knows where the money goes?!!!

[hunter]

I think it's important to take into consideration what EC's manager says about the bootleg situation in Germany and the principle about the whole thing. Certainly, the woman in this particular case is just one of many and the whole thing is blown out of proportions. EC is not out to get that particular woman.

[quizzaciously]

Who knows where the money goes?!!!

Fair question. Since bootleg is essentially an unofficial recording, I also wonder where the money goes? To me, bootlegs are something in the realm of "made by fans for fans" and "not for sale". I think selling bootlegs is a strange idea, so the outcome of all that is also sometimes strange...

[the visitor]

Re the money certainly there is a by fans for fans element, but I don't think that is totally the case. I'd put money on those releases with accurate cover art having at least a passing fan involvement. But there are many more which just look like a money making routine.

0You need a lot of money to press a vinyl record these days and some of this stuff on a larger scale has to be a grey area in terms of who is involved in it. So my point is take it back in house and have proper control over the releases which are clearly already happening. 

Regarding Clatpon I think the approach is heavy-handed at the very least. The question  is where do you draw the line to try and stop the pirates being involved.

[Robson]

"To me, bootlegs are something in the realm of "made by fans for fans"

The story with official bootlegs is a bit different. For example, Bob Dylan has them in his catalog.

[Knopflerfan]

Sums up Crapton really though doesn't it!

[dustyvalentino]

Just when you thought he couldn't get any worse.

[Knopflerfan]

Enjoying reading some of the comments!!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10327535/Eric-Clapton-wins-lawsuit-against-German-woman-tried-sell-bootleg-CD-11-eBay.html

[ds1984]

Eric Clapton in person has nothing to do with that (and has been probably unaware of that story until now).

This is the GERMAN LEGAL TEAM that was involved.

But for newspaper it is way more appealing to title "Clapton sue a fan" and then explain below that actually it isn't him.

And may I add when you read the full thing you understand the woman made a big mistake and could have settled the affair before out of court.

So insulting Clapton for that, is NOT being a smart person to remain polite 

[dustyvalentino]

Closing duplicate thread.