December 2004
Former students of London school make royalties claim on a Pink Floyd Classic
Former school children from Islington Green School in London have made a claim for unpaid royalties in relation to their performance on a Pink Floyd Classic.
It appears that, in the late 1970s, the band's management contacted, Alun Renshaw, the student's music teacher with a view to asking the children to sing on the chorus of "Another Brick In The Wall". The music teacher then took them to the recording studio without asking the headmistress' permission.
The Inner London Education Authority later described the lyrics, "We don't need no education, we don't need no thought control…teachers leave them kids alone" as scandalous.
Despite this (or perhaps because of this) the song was number 1 in both Britain and America. The school was given a platinum record and paid £1000 but the students got nothing.
Peter Rowan, acting on behalf of one of the former school children said the money would come from the music royalties society and not Pink Floyd. He also said he expected each child to get £200.
Evidence of the former school children's input has been difficult to find as the headmistress banned their involvement in video or TV.
The lack of evidence has apparently been partially addressed by the then headmistress, Margaret Maden, now supporting the application.
Alun Renshaw, whilst discussing the situation with the Evening Standard newspaper explained, "I sort of mentioned it to the head teacher, but didn't give her a piece of paper with the lyrics on."
Briffa Comment:
It is important that all the intellectual property issues are considered thoroughly at the time they occur otherwise they can come back to haunt you many years later.