Over 100 artists were included in an advertisement that appeared in the national press on September 26 declaring "Who Really Cares About Illegal Downloading?" The newly formed Music United for Strong Internet Copyright asked readers to find out about legal ways to get digital and see what these and other artists and songwriters have to say about illegal downloading. The ad directed people to go to www.musicunited.org.
Ten artists, Trisha Yearwood, Luciano Pavarotti, Mark Knopfler, Dixie Chicks, Joshua Bell, Stevie Wonder, Missy Elliott, Britney Spears, Shakira,
and Nelly, were quoted in the ad.
The other artists had their names included in a long list: Al Jarreau, Ashanti, Barenaked Ladies, B.B. King, Beenie Man, Bernie Taupin, Brian McKnight, Brian Wilson, Bryan Adams, Busta Rhymes, dcTalk, Capone, Carl Sturken, Chuck Mangione, Diana Krall, Diana Ross, Diane Warren, Dirty Vegas, Dr. Dre, DMX, Elton John, Eminem, Enrique Igleasias, Erykah Badu, Evan Rogers, Fabolous, Faith Hill, Fat Joe, 50 Cent, Foxy Brown, Gene Simmons, Glen Ballard, Godsmack, Goo Goo Dolls, Hootie & The Blowfish, India.Arie, Jay-Z, John Kay, Jonny Lang, Kylie Minogue, Lamont Dozier, Lenny Kravitz, Ludacris, Madonna, Mana, Mandy Moore, Marc Anthony, Marilyn Manson, Martina McBride, Mary J. Blige, matchbox twenty, Musiq, Nas, Natalie Cole, N.E.R.D., Noreaga, Ok Go, P. Diddy, Phile Vollins, Peter Frampton, Renee Fleming, Renee Gill, P.O.D., Rudy Perez, Rush, Sarah Brightman, Shaggy, Sheryl Crow, Smash Mouth, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sting, Third Eye Blind, Tweet, 3 Doors Down, Ute Lemper, Vanessa Carlton, Vince Gill, The Vines and The Wallflowers.
Organizations aligned for Music United for Strong Internet Copyright include
Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies,
Association for Independent Music,
American Federation of Musicians,
American Federation of Television and Radio Association, ASCAP, BMI,
Country Music Association,
Christian Music Trade Association,
Gospel Music Association,
Hip Hop Summit Action Network,
Jazz Alliance International,
Music Managers Forum-USA,
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, National Music Publisher's Association,
Nashville Songwriters Association International,
Recording Industry Association of America,
Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Funds,
SESAC,
SoundExchange,
Tennessee Songwriters Association International, and
The Songwriters Guild of America.
