From: gingeric9178@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: comp.music
Subject: Casey Kasem wrote and boy is he pissed...
Date: 12 Jan 93 01:06:21 -0600
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

Well what do you know!!
   I sent Mr. Casey Kasem a fax asking him nicely to let Negativland off the 
monetary hook and such over U2 (as directed to here on the net by a poster
saying Negativland had released CK's fax number for this purpose) and lo and
behold today I got a typed (but personally signed - wow!) letter from Mr. Top
40 himself.  It reads:

Dear Robert:
   The issue over Negativland U2 isn't censorship.  It's about theft and
piracy.  Negativland didn't own the written\recorded material it put on the
record--and that's against the law.
   Among other things, the Irish band U2's (Why it must be pointed out that u2
is Irish I don't know. - Rob's Note)  copyrighted material was "sampled"
electronically and used without permission from its label, Island Records, and
the publisher, Warner/Chappell.  The result was then marketed openly for
Negativland's own gain, without any copyright use fee being paid to Island
Records or Warner/Chappell.  You can't do that under the federal copyright law
that protects artists and their original written/recorded material.
   As for my part (Now for the really funny prt - another one of Rob's notes),
I've never allowed the occasional cussing (sewer mouth!  I just had to say it -
Rob again)  that comes with normal frustration during work hours end up on my
nationally--and even internationally (Thanks for clearing this up Casey - From
Rob)  --marketed shows.  I'm as human as anyone else, but it's not my policy to
use such language in my finsished product.  And, yes, I have it written into my
contract as an added clause.   (Wow!!  A no-cussing clause!! I have to get me
one of those!! - Rob dreaming about a true pastoral life)
   Apparently some engineer, years ago, took some of my outakes and distributed
them--without my permission. (As specified in the no cussing clause, see above. 
- Rob dreaming of being a lawyer)  Negativland used them--again without my
permission.  I have a sense of humor like anybody else.  (True, he did
Scooby-Doo, remember?-  Rob dreaming of Thelma)  This parody's results are
often funny.  But the point is:  the material was used illegally.
   Negativland never went through legal channels and never got permission from
Island records, Warner/Chappell, U2, me or anyone else.  It just got what it
wanted and tried to market the result for its own gain (Negativland are not
people, it is one living, breathing entity. - Rob)  Under the court's permanent
injunction, the Negativland record was pulled out of circulation and the band's
label, SST Records, was ordered to pay certain sums--in turn suing the band to
recover its losses.  The permanent injunction currently remains in effect. 
That's why its still illegal for the band to try profiteering from the same
material, just to pay its debts and penalties.  That means they face contempt
of court charges and other penalties if they do it again.
   I'm all for free speech.  But the 1st Ammendment is no excuse for theft or
copyright violation.  It's not a shield for greed, arrogance and disregard for
other people's rights.  I hope the band does get itself out of its current
plight--but legally.  And I hope fans such as yourself will continue to support
groups you admire--without defending the wrong cause by mistake.
   Free-speech--and theft for private gain--aren't synonymous--nor should they
be.  Thanks for airing your concern.

                                                Yours truly,
                                                      Casey Kasem  

   Well, what do you guys think?  I know this subject is rather old (the U2
thing) but how many other bands\people are going to get into it over this. 
Anybody out there have any personal experiences close to this?  I wrote because
I am a Negativland fan and I didn't want to see them get nailed, but also
beacause I make music and sample things quite often, or as often as a person
can with a TX16W.    Food for thought during strange days..

                           Robert Williams 
                           MANNA-MACHINE