IRMA- Stealing our innernetz

I am one of those failed musician types.

I am sure you know a few, Recorded a few demoes back in the day, started in school with their band, eventually real life caught up, and music was religated by necessity.

(This isn't strictly true in my case, as I am persistent when it comes to things like music. My first album will be self released on iTunes shortly. So there).

IRMA doesn't represent the vast majority of musicians. The vast majority of musicians, lets be honest, are the people mentioned above. IRMA exist to look after the rights of the lucky few. They make a big show of putting on showcases for "young talent" alright, but really they do virtually nothing for the next generation of musicians. They often seem to exist purely to maintain the status quo.

I cannot stress enough how little IRMA have done for any musical colleague of mine. I cannot think of one they have helped in a significant way (Admittedly this might say more about the quality of our music. But that is beside the point, and I frown in your direction for trying to distract me while I am trying to make a serious post).

Eircom may shortly be restricting access to torrent sites in the Republic of Ireland on the behalf of IRMA, an organistation who has nothing to do with governing our country, who only represent a tiny proportion of the population in any way.

I am not going to discuss the rights and wrong of torrenting. That is not what this post is about. This post is about a dangerous precident in Ireland where an organisation which exists for the most part to generate money (and in a country so very rich with musical talent, they really could be doing a whole lot more) should not be allowed restrict the ability of people to access information over the internet. It is censorship for profit, plain and simple.

You may think this is not important, but if you check here for example, you will find this is a live, and dangerous issue.

There is an organisation in Ireland fighting this. I am supporting them and I think every sane person should. Information should be free, and if restrictions must be placed on it, I would rather it not be a profit making organisation like IRMA.


Thank you for your time. I shall put away my soapbox.