The "Phantom FM - Criminal Broadcasters" debate

[NTSC]

There is an article in the current Hot Press (page 10) about an association between Phantom FM and EMI records with the production of an album.
http://www.phantomfm.com/volume1.htm
May I ask when did the reported controversy begin???
Was it instigated by the writing of the article?, or was there controversy before the article was penned?
I have to ask is it appropriate for Dermot Hanrahan (FM104) to be taking such a high moral ground and brandishing Phantom FM as 'criminals' ???
Can Dermot Hanrahan put his hand on his heart and declare that he has never himself been in contravention of any law???

And how many of FM104 and RED FM's staff have been introduced to radio by this awful "criminal" activity??

Quite a lot I would think.

Mr Hanrahan indicates that artists involved in the album could be banned from airplay on FM104

One has to ask why Mr Hanrahan was given so much publicity in this article (large photo as well), is it because FM104 are such an extensive advertiser in Hot Press??

It ought to be pointed out also that the writer of this article, Stuart Clark, has himself in the past been deeply involved in pirate radio with stations in Waterford and Limerick.

Mr. Clark brought the Phantom issue to the attention of a Mr Hugh Tuckey of the ODTR who confirmed it was illegal for anyone to be appearing on, or advertising on a pirate station. Mr Tuckey said if it was found EMI were advertising on the station then that was an offence.
AN EMI spokesman distanced themselves from Phantom FM, but Mr Clark disagreed, also pointing to the fact that the album cover had a URL to Phantom FM's website.

Some time ago an article appeared in this magazine about the return of Phantom's stolen transmission equipment by the Gardai. Presumably the Hot Press writer picked up the story from Radiowaves.fm , as it had not appeared anywhere else. From my reading the Hot Press article seemed to be aimed at causing embarrassment to the Gardai for their action of returning recovered stolen equipment to the station. One wonders if the same thing were to happen all over again, would the Gardai be as willing to return recovered stolen equipment to the station?

What is this type of journalism supposed to achieve?

[Mike]

Hanrahan is a hypocrite but from the sound of it article (although admitidely I havent seen it yet) seems to bestirring a lot of S*** and doesnt really help anyone

[Anti-Christ]

I think Hanrahan is right this time. Why should a pirate be let put out an album when they don't pay any money back to the music business. Pay their IMRO and then it's a different story

[Mister807]

Research and then post Mr Soft Lad Anti-Christ,

Phantom and other pirates arent allowed pay royalties, and if you want to get technical, the release of this album is the best way for "the music business" to get money back from Phantom through track licencing fees etc.

Think, Research, Post.

Mister 807

[Anti-Christ]

I think you should learn how the business works. Phamton wiil pay nothing for those songs however EMI will therefore they supporting the pirates.
This sort of thing could only happen in Ireland. It's a joke

[Mister807]

What?

Explain that piece of logic to me. Lets break this up into simple chunks:

1. Pirate stations are not allowed to pay royalties. That is not their decision, thats the decision of the legislators voted in by you and I.

2. Licence fees are paid to artists based on a percentage of sales of an album. Everyone is paid on that basis. So it is a joint investment between label and station (or in this case website). So, no thats not true, all parties pay the artists. Read carefully.

3. No, it doesnt only happen in Ireland. Happens everywhere.

Think. Research. Post :-)

Mister 807

[Anti-Christ]

You are right on the 1st point although i don't think they could afford it
On the second point you are wrong. The radio station is never held responsible for how well the album does. If that were the case Tom Dunne would have to give a record co.money if the album did not sell. (Wrong) I think you need to learn more about the business before airing your comments in public. I have worked for a record co i know what i am talking about.

[Darren B]

Originally posted by Anti-Christ
If that were the case Tom Dunne would have to give a record co.money if the album did not sell. (Wrong) I think you need to learn more about the business before airing your comments in public. I have worked for a record co i know what i am talking about.

You obviosuly didnt read Mister 807's point correctly coz if you did you wouldnt have made such a silly post ho hum.

[Volume]

Couple of points on the Phantom: Vol. 1 CD

1. The CD is fully licensed and totally above board. All the tracks were sourced by Lime Records, a sub label of EMI, and licensed from their copyright owners. This means that royalties are paid to the copyright holders as per the standard industry practice for comp albums.

2. Multi-artist compilation albums now account for 25% of all album sales in the UK and Ireland. It is a very lucrative business and in the interest of artists to be on them.

3. Phantomfm.com does not pay a penny towards the artists on the album. Standard industry practice - the royalties are paid from sales revenues as agreed. Compilations don't sell by themselves they need branding to add consumer interest and that branding comes from media partners - MTV, Tom Dunne, Top Of The Pops, phantomfm.com ... who ever. The brand name can make its own negotiation with the record co. over the use of the their brand name.

Phantomfm.com haven't put out this album, Lime Records have using the Phantom branding to sell it. No doubt it was a joint project . This album is well above board ... the only controversy is that phantom had the balls to go ahead and do it.

[Pierce]

They are not the first ones to bring out arecord rRadio dublin did and the Big D did but they are the first Irish Pirate to bring out an album great stuff . So lets see if we can get it to #1 in the album chart

[Anti-Christ]

Where are you going with Phantom are the only one with balls to put it out. I know the inside story on this and that's me arse. One thing you are right on is Phantom don't pay a cent towards the album the point i was trying to put across to that other guy. As for EMI letting a pirate (who does not pay anyone anything) put an album out is a disgrace. I think all involved should be banned from legal radio as you can not have one rule for the pirates and one rule for the locals. It's a bit like driving a car without tax.

[Dogger]

The article's on this very site's news page... http://www.radiowaves.fm/newspapers/Phantom/HotPress_20November02.shtml

[Darren B]

well done and fair play to them I say

[Mister807]

Wow Mister Antichrist,

You really are getting wound up on this one arent you? You and Willie should get together and discuss protectionism at length shouldnt you.

The banning from legal radio stuff is a prime example of protectionism and high moral ground nonsense that is prevalent in the Irish Radio Industry. I only hope you feel this strongly about important moral issues such as the gap between the have and have nots in our society, homelessness, effects of globalisation on society etc. I presume you have got sufficiently wound up to insist on action being taken against all of those who society would view as having an unfair advantage? Will you be signing your letters to the Irish Times as Antichrist?

Or is this just a soft target for protectionist jibes and you really just dont have the bottle.

Prove yourself Antichrist, man or ivory tower mouse?

Mister 807

[Darren B]

Originally posted by Anti-Christ
Darren B What are you talking about??? I think a visit back to school would be a good idea for you. When you learn to read then come and talk to the BIG BOYS

So youre a big boy hey. Pitty you have to hide behing a nickname then isnt it :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Also dont get all offensive because you have relised youre wrong. Oh and as for reading I can read perfectly, and if you could you would relise how these compilations are managed from copyright, royalties, financial points of view etc.

For somebody that worked for a record company its shocking that you dont know how they work. Then again when you say record company you may have meant the term very loosely.

[Anti-Christ]

Hello Who took this conversation to a moral one PLEASE!!!!!
As for Darren B will you please go and ring EMI and see if i'm right or wrong. As for hiding behind a false name i have no problem telling anyone who i am. My name is Joe Harris now let's all be open about our REAL names

[Slicklink]

Who the hell is Harris ? Ho Ho Ho.......

[Volume]

One thing you are right on is Phantom don't pay a cent towards the album the point i was trying to put across to that other guy.

So why are you labouring this point? Phantom don't pay a cent - neither does Tom Dunne. It's standard industry practice. Phantom are following the industry norm.

As for EMI letting a pirate (who does not pay anyone anything) put an album out is a disgrace. I think all involved should be banned from legal radio as you can not have one rule for the pirates and one rule for the locals. It's a bit like driving a car without tax.

Would you care to elaborate on this one? Why should all be banned from legal radio?

[Darren B]

Originally posted by Anti-Christ
As for Darren B will you please go and ring EMI and see if i'm right or wrong.

Well youre obviously wrong. If you were right EMI wouldnt get involved in this project now would they ?

[The President]

Anti-Christ, you after a job with the ODTR?