This is indeed one of Kathy's finest translations. She'll see this thread soon and probably grant permission to use it this year, too (at least, I hope she will).

Note: The link contained w/in the post now goes to a website that's been hacked- don't bother clicking it.

Not the case.

Perhaps you are having issues on your computer?

(silence ensues...)

Thanks, Kathy! And I'll be happy to PayPal you now. Thank you for helping making sacred music so accessible w/ your English translations.

Still having problems w/ the link for "The Ultimate Stabat Mater Website". This time it went to the right place at first and then re-directed within a few seconds to a site that's definitely not the right thing...

This is nice. I should do like other bloggers and make an amazon wishlist :)

I was thinking of some beautiful theology books that seem to be already checked out at the university library (sigh...)

I do believe that if the sacred music community wants to take a leading role, it has to monetize somehow.

100% agree with this. Also I think that this is a point of similarity between Open Source software and Open Content generally (including Sacred Music).

As I've said before, I'm not anti-monetization. When I advocate Free and Open, I'm not advocating anti-commercialism.

Where you and I disagree (and - really - I think it's a completely legitimate disagreement, because there's no clear way to prove it either way) is that I think it is completely possible to have viable, profitable business models outside of the conventional intellectual property structure.

My reason for thinking that this is the case (that Free and Open can also make you Rich and Famous) is the examples set by Open Source software, the creative output of the pre-IP age, and a few contemporary industries/sectors which are not bound by intellectual property constraints (cooking/recipes, fashion design, humor/jokes).

But these examples are by no means definitive.

Also - if I'm being completely intellectually honest, I have to admit that I have a bias toward thinking Free and Open can be profitable because I ALSO believe that Free and Open is more virtuous, and my general political ideology tends toward a rejection of the very idea of intellectual property. This is a position I would hold EVEN IF I thought that Free and Open was also bad for business, so there is no doubt some amount of hopefulness in my assessment of the viability of Open Content business models.

SO, just to be clear, my position(s) is (are):
1. I agree with both the need and the desire to make money.
2. I agree that making money is important not just for individual artists but for the community/cause generally.
3. I think that Free and Open is not, inherently, opposed to making money or having a viable business model.
4. I understand that [3] is basically a conjecture, and that coming to a different conclusion is totally reasonable. However, I think [3] is accurate based on my understanding of trends and patterns in other sectors and in other periods.

Adam: "issue on computer", no, the stabat mater site (redirection) has been hacked. Hopefully it's temporary.

Are we all talking about the link to Kathy's blog post?

http://hymnographyunbound.blogspot.com/2007/02/stabat-mater-dolorosa.html

I have not had any problems with it.

Weird.

Thanks, Adam, for your thoughtful comment above.

I think the question, then, is how to monetize open source liturgical music.

I think the question, then, is how to monetize open source liturgical music.

Caveat: I don't know anything about intellectual property and I'm am not a composer, arranger, or translator.

My thoughts: Is it too simplistic to include something at the bottom of the pages of music such as, "If you use this music, the composer/arranger/translator would appreciate your support with a one-time (suggested $___) donation to soandso@email.com."? I know it's basically the honor system and no one's going to get rich that way, but maybe it would help? I would think that, especially in this (what I perceive to be) small sacred music community, people would be willing to do that if they're able...?