Delbridge.Org

In Part 1 of this tutorial, I introduced you to Creative Commons, a convenient, no-cost alternative to traditional copyright, but stopped short of implementation and the inherent technobabble.  Here, we'll discuss the first of two steps recommended by the organization for proper implementation of Creative Commons:  file tagging.

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For musicians who offer free music downloads, Creative Commons represents a simple, free alternative to traditional copyright registration.  No tedious forms.  No filing fees.  No waiting.  It's instant, no-cost copyright goodness.  What's more, the protections offered by Creative Commons are flexible, to allow for certain uses of your music, such as remixing or incorporation into commercial or non-commercial video and other derivative works, if that's what you want.  This is a boon for DIY musicians whose traditional '©' and 'circle-P' symbols tell DJs, podcasters and filmmakers, "hands off my music."  And so, they use somebody else's music instead.  Opportunity lost.

On the downside, implementing Creative Commons properly isn't entirely straightforward, and the examples demonstrated on the org's website are highly technical, aimed squarely at developers.  Assuming that your drummer is also your "web guy" and that he doesn't know an MP3 ID3 tag frame from an SHA1 hash, a little help here could go a long way.  Let's jam.

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For DIY musicians, Quick Response Code, or "QR Code," may represent the biggest thing to hit guerilla music marketing since the vuvuzela.  And by "hit," I mean a right sucker punch to the mouth.  Already the rage in Japan, passers-by can scan a band's gig poster into their smartphone and download a free music sample on the spot, or be transported to a special web page with discounted ticket and merchandise offers.

But elsewhere - I'm looking at you, America - QR Code is only just catching on.   And that's good news for ambitious bands looking to capitalize on emerging trends.  Bleeding edge, be damned!  Let's put these codes to work for us now, while the novelty is hot and before the competition catches up.

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