"Greed" is a loaded word. And it sure looks different depending on your point of view.

In the use of a musical composition, something of value is being exploited. If the musicians don't pay for it, and the club does not pay for it, then the writer is "paying" for it by losing the income that he deserves from his work. Is the fact that he wants that income greed? I don't think so.

Perhaps we should charge the performers for the priviledge of using our work. They do not want to pay. Is that greed?

The club owner does not want to pay either. Greed?

Why is it greedy for one guy to want to keep the money, but not so if another guy wants to keep the money? Both feel they are entitled. Again, it depends on which side of the fence you are on.

Seeking a financial edge in trying to build a career is a fact of life. I don't think greed is part of it, except in the most egregious cases.

Bob and Brian both make good points. But it is impossible to subtract from Bob's viewpoint the fact that he has spent his life on stages. From his point of view, performing musicians, in their struggle, should be shielded from paying--or absorbing--the costs of the material they perform. Is that reasonable, or is he just being greedy? I don't think it's greedy, but nor do I think writers are being greedy for asking whatever compensation they get for their work.



[This message has been edited by TrumanCoyote (edited 12-29-2003).]