Bertelsmann Profits From Nazis
Bertelsmann Profits From Nazis
October 08, 2002
Commission finds Bertelsmann profited in Nazi era. The company "legend" that it was a victim of the Nazis was a lie. This lie led to Bertelsmann's entire success, because it "smoothed the way for the occupation authorities, promptly granting the firm a new license to publish."
I believe that a share of Bertelsmann's current profits is therefore still due to this lie - is in fact still Nazi blood money.
What's worse, the blood money has been earned in many cases from the work of many prominent Jewish artists, from Neil Sedaka, Barry Manilow and Kenny G. to Jascha Heifetz and Eugene Ormandy - all under contract to Bertelsmann's record label, BMG.
I believe that since this is Nazi blood money it should now be given back.
How could Bertelsmann give back the blood money? Well, here's one idea...
How about if all the artists at BMG demand that Bertelsmann tear up their contracts. Then, the profits that remain on the contracts could be the 'give back' for the Nazi blood money.
How about that?
Source: CNN Money
Bernard Yomtov writes:
I don't understand your suggestion. (Really - this is not a rhetorical device). Suppose the artists do get their contracts torn up. How does that create a "give-back?" Are you saying BMG would simply go out of business, and artists would sign with other companies? What about those who like their contracts and don't think they could do better elsewhere? Anyway, wouldn't the giveback be to other record companies? Maybe there's something I'm missing. I'm really not trying to be a jerk here. I just have a feeling you have something more complex in mind than what it sounds like.
By the way, Zubin Mehta is Indian, I think, and a Muslim - not Jewish.
Aimee replied:
Thanks so much for the catch on Zubin Mehta! I'll correct it as soon as I get home from school.
Yes, what I'm hoping artists will do is tear up their contracts and start using FairPlay software, which I'll be releasing very soon, for promoting their own art, to their own audience.
If they do, then the give-back would be the uncollected profits redistributed to the artists, as higher margins, and to their audience in the form of lower prices.
Then Bernard Yomtov replied:
My personal opinion is that, to the extent Bertelsmann wants to make financial atonement, I would rather see them donate to human rights or refugee assistance organizations, or maybe somebody who helps surviving victims in places like Rwanda, etc.
And Aimee replied:
Ahh yes... I see. Wonderful. Perhaps this donation could be worked into the artist's contract with FairPlay too.
