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So Much For That Plan: Google CIO Doesn't Even Last A Year At EMI
from the whoops dept
Nearly a year ago, we were surprised, but hopeful when it was announced that Doug Merrill, former CIO of Google was joining EMI to head up its digital initiatives. It definitely seemed like the big record labels could use a nice injection of Google-style thinking -- though, we were worried that Merrill would be pigeonholed as a "techie" rather than someone integrated into the wider strategy. And, indeed, watching EMI continue to make a series of self-destructive moves left us wondering how much influence, if any, Merrill had on the firm. Just a few weeks ago, we pointed out that Merrill should be ashamed to be associated with a company that is actively stomping out innovation left and right.
Who knows what the real reason is, but it looks like Merrill didn't work out at EMI. Less than a year after taking the job, Merrill is no longer employed by EMI. Neither side is talking about why -- though EMI said something about how it's unnecessary to have a separate "digital division." That goes back to our original fears: suggesting Merrill was limited just to digital issues, rather than overall strategy. But, the fact that he's totally gone from the company so quickly suggests that perhaps he tried to shift the direction of the company and was unable to get very far. That's a loss for EMI and the big record labels, who never seem to miss an opportunity to make things worse for themselves.
Who knows what the real reason is, but it looks like Merrill didn't work out at EMI. Less than a year after taking the job, Merrill is no longer employed by EMI. Neither side is talking about why -- though EMI said something about how it's unnecessary to have a separate "digital division." That goes back to our original fears: suggesting Merrill was limited just to digital issues, rather than overall strategy. But, the fact that he's totally gone from the company so quickly suggests that perhaps he tried to shift the direction of the company and was unable to get very far. That's a loss for EMI and the big record labels, who never seem to miss an opportunity to make things worse for themselves.
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Do the Troll Dance - Do the Troll Dance - Yeah !
I'm sure it went down exactly as Harry has said.
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But yes, keep spewing that crap, see all the good it does you.
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Re: Do the Troll Dance - Do the Troll Dance - Yeah !
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Re:
Nice try troll.
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Re: Re: Do the Troll Dance - Do the Troll Dance - Yeah !
You're new aren't you ...
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WH
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Re: WH
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Nope
Nice try troll."
Ignorance of the law is no defense. You are trading on the name of a copyrighted character. Figure you have stolen the name and used it without paying at least dozens of times on this site alone. You are guilty of theft. Pay up, $150k per offense.
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Re: Re: Re: Do the Troll Dance - Do the Troll Dance - Yeah !
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perfect opportunity
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Re: Re: Do the Troll Dance - Do the Troll Dance - Yeah !
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Could it be lack of competence?
I'm not surprised that when Google execs re-enter the real world that they find it's more difficult to walk on water. You have to add value. You can't just get away with a trendy haircut and an "I used to work at Google" mentality. I guess that might work at Facebook or Twitter, but I can't think of any other good job prospects for these people at real companies. Can you?
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How is (a) a defense? The fact that fat albert was before your time underscores my point. It was there first. Your usage of the name was there second. You copied it; copyright doesn't care if you meant to.
(b) What is that, an attempt at a fair use defense, or trying to use trademark law. Either way, according to copyright fanatics like yourself, fair use doesn't exist, and according to trademark fanatics (consider Monster Cable) any usage of a name, no matter of context, is a violation.
What is your blog, I want to read it. Maybe I'll be your first hit.
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RD & Jesse
You can't get copyright protection for a fictional character name. A character name in and of itself is not a literary work, and is only protected as part of the work that the character appears in. I could write a western novel and name the ranch hands "Travis Bickle", "Forrest Gump" and "Jack Sparrow", and there's not a damn thing anyone could do about it.
Even if you could copyright a character name, misuse would be infringement, not theft.
It is possible to get *trademark* protection for a fictional character name, but Bill Cosby's "Weird Harold" character doesn't qualify for such protection. The *visual likeness* of Weird Harold from the TV show & movies might be protected, but WH isn't using the visual likeness in his posts.
And on an unrelated note, Cosby's "Weird Harold" character actually pre-dates "Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids" by quite a while. He's mentioned on the 1966 album "Wonderfulness" (in the "Go-Karts" routine), as well as 1967's "Revenge" (He's a big part of the "9th Street Bridge" skit). He may be on the older albums as well, but "Wonderfulness" is the oldest BC album I own.
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What's a troll
As of now I would say that WH fits the bill.
The only way to stop a troll is to disregard him or her.I suggest we do so immediately.
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What if...
I understand this may be an absurd question, but I'd really like to know if it's actually illegal? Is there a monopoly issue?
I'm only bringing this up because with that amount of consolidated presentation power these Majors wouldn't last passed August. Someone needs to put a sickle to this corn already.
....And then Techdirt could write about all the great new developments like DSD and Korg 1 bit players, as there would be no more of these stomach acid troll festivals and WH could go back to bat breeding or what ever he does.
bbb
wheatus.com
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Re: WH
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Re: RD & Jesse
Thank you.
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Re: Do the Troll Dance - Do the Troll Dance - Yeah !
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EMI/Douglas Merril
EMI is very much so innovative and will continue to be so.
Reading into this as anything more than an employee coming up short and management letting him, is ridiculous at best.
The world of PE is short on patience and rightfully so.
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Bonus
If not, maybe AIG could use some help. :)
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Re:
Its much more likely that he went in as someone trying to set up their own digital sales infrastructure, and then EMI realized they couldn't compete with iTunes and killed off the division.
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Definite infringement. Pay up! I'll take a cheque.
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Yes, you are right too: If I looked at Itunes (with drm), I would say there is little reason to compete with them. I suspect the rates charged by Apple on this are lower than the costs that most record companies would see trying to do it themselves. Sort of shows where middlemen come from.
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