In my post on the unmasking of corporate music industry fanboi and comment spammer Gregory A. Roach, aka Sam I Am, “The inaugural meeting of the U.K.’s Featured Artists’ Coalition (FAC) in London resulted in a unanimous vote among its members against any measures that criminalize file-sharing”, I quoted Billboard as saying in March, 2009, going on >>>
As well as discussing the general aims and logistics of the new body, there was also a unanimous show of hands against the idea of criminalizing file-sharers, according to those present.
There was concern about any legal body taking action against fans who were involved in file-sharing and preventing them getting broadband access to be informed about the activities of their favorite acts.
Then, six months later came another FAC statement, this time declaring >>>
Our meeting … voted overwhelmingly to support a three-strike sanction on those who persistently download illegal files, sanctions to consist of a warning letter, a stronger warning letter and a final sanction of the restriction of the infringer’s bandwidth to a level which would render file-sharing of media files impractical while leaving basic email and web access functional.
I went on >>>
So what’s Sam I Am got to do with all of this?
His real name is Gregory A. Roach and according to his Linked-in page unearthed by Dredd, he’s an “Interior/Lighting designer at GAR Associates” in the Greater New York City area.
He’s also a “Consultant at Digital Marketing, IP monetization”.
And an anonymous comment poster on behalf of the corporate music industry whose spams have appeared on sites other than p2pnet’s.
But more importantly, for the purposes of this item, his Linked in blurb also boasts >>>
UK Digital Initiative, London, England, February 20, 2009
Attendee and participant in the core focus group leading to the formation of the Featured Artists Coalition.
Interesting.
Yes. And the news sparked outrage on both p2pnet and a2f2a.com with people asking why someone with such clear Big Music affections had had anything to do with the formation of the FAC.
Or were they merely affectations?
Initial ‘focus’ group
Former a2f2a co-founder and FAC board member Billy Bragg wondered why I hadn’t asked him about Roach.
Billy is, after all, an FAC board member and with the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, that would’ve been a good idea.
So I remedied the situation, asking him, “are you aware of an initial ‘focus’ group?” – and adding, “if you are, do you know for a fact if Roach was part of it?”
Here’s his reply >>>
I can positively assure you that Roach was not part of any initial focus group, nor has he attended any formal meeting.
There was one event which we invited other musicians to – the one where we took the original vote against cutting people off – but that was strictly musicians or managers.
I would be very surprised if he was there. If he was – which I very much doubt – I can assure you that he has had no contact since and he has no input whatsoever in anything to do with the FAC.
Hmmm. Even more interesting.
Stay tuned.
Jon Newton