PureTone Records - A New Business Model

PureTone Records was established by James Kelly to exploit the possibilities now available to musicians in the 21st century music industry and digital age. At the heart of the digital age is the file sharing and illegal downloading phonomumom.

The many views on addressing the revolution of accessing music, have been well publicised and at present it appears the British Government are to push through a three strikes and possible disconnection system against copyright infringers. Meanwhile the newly formed Featured Artist Coalition have declared themselves against criminalising potential music fans and Internet Service Providers are not inclined to police they're customers activity. This has seen several new models recently launched including Spotify, SKY Songs and a regenerated Napster, as legal alternatives are seen as vital to combating the issue.

James Kelly and PureTone are currently working on creating a new business model that would see music fans allowed to legally share and download music over the internet, would not require ISP's to police or pressure their customers and would reward artists and rights holders.

Proposal

• PureTone Records owned by James Kelly, licenses its catalogue to Internet Service Providers allowing their customers to legally access and download PureTone Records music via any file sharing website.

• A license fee would be agreed by PureTone Records and the ISP’s that could then be recouped in customers monthly bill. The license fee would represent the status of PureTone's catalogue and online activity.

In order for this model to work, the online activity of PureTone’s music would need to be monitored as accurately as possible and at present ISP’s are not willing to do this. If an independent organisation such as PRS for Music or Merlin were willing to undertake this role, then this model would not criminalise consumers, see income for artists, labels and possibly ISP’s where current revenue is lost and also open the door to the full potential of music in the digital age.

James has recently had meetings and discussions with Feargal Sharkey of UK Music, Patrick Rackow of BASCA, Jeremy Silver of the Featured Artist Coalition, Jon Webster of MMF, BT and the ISPA regarding his ideas. He is currently in the process of contacting possible monitoring bodies and ISP's.