Reply #25: No one wants to change history or cover-up...just read his [View All]

[astonamous]

biography and then watch the interview. Fucking hilarious to watch someone self destruct in front of your face. If the interview helps someone else understand the effects of drug use, then I hope the thing stays at the top of viewed videos. Richard was known for speaking the truth and his legacy continues. I don't think that what Universal or other big companies are going to be able to touch the interviews or other things posted on YouTube. In fact, there are many artists, as stated before, that are using these postings to promote their material. Even Richard's family isn't trying to take the sad reminder of his drug addiction down. Also, it wouldn't be Richard Pryor Inc. that would own the rights to that interview. Hell, he doesn't even own full rights, or even controlling rights, to the best comedy concert ever produced.

All I am trying to say is that it isn't just money that is the issue. It is control of an artists image, persona and material. The artist should be the one to decide. I would be willing to bet that a number of the artists "owned" by Universal don't mind their work being posted. Universal has the money to take the website to court and yes, we might lose a valuable tool because of it.

Like I said, I am torn about the issue because of my wanting to let history speak for itself and still being able to protect the rights of an artist to control the release of their material. There are laws already in place to protect copy written material and there are always going to be people that think they are above the law or just don't give a damn either way.

"Sprinkle my ashes in about two Pounds of cocaine. Snort me up!" R.I.P. Richard Pryor

Trudy