Free Digital Sheet Music

From the SMH: Music giant Universal has threatened an Australian ABBA fan site with legal action unless it hands over the details of fans who allegedly bought or supplied unauthorised or “bootlegged” live recordings via the site. Normally I’d agree with the argument from the site’s owners: “This is just about giving the people the opportunity to see stuff that they won’t release as otherwise they could never see or hear it,” said Read, who was 15 years old when he founded the Australian ABBA fan club. The pair had been involved in “organised ABBA fandom” for 30 years, running conventions and tribute nights, he said. “Fans have been saying for years, we’ve already bought all the [official] stuff that you’ve put out over and over and over again. Can we now have some stuff that’s unreleased, that’s rare. And [ABBA’s record label Universal] basically said no, we’re not going to do it.” Agreed. That is the major reason why people are after boot legs. Why, the other day I downloaded a DVD of rare Bon Scott footage. But there is a twist to this tale of persecuted ABBA fans: Until recently, the site also sold bootleg CDs and DVDs containing old recordings of ABBA performances, radio and TV appearances that were otherwise unavailable. Note the world ’sold.’ There’s the problem. The Bon Scott DVD cost me nothing as I downloaded it via one of the many boot trading sites. No need to pay anything (other than broadband fees). Part of the ethics of online trading is no money exchanges hands. It has also killed the bootleg industry. Many ‘liberated’ boots are appearing online so that people do not have to pay exorbitant amounts for rare and unreleased material. In this case it seems the site owners got it wrong if they were selling the material for a profit.