Boomtown Rat happy to take copied music

Sir Bob Geldof was quick to condemn New Zealand's foreign aid contribution - but he was happy to fly home with a healthy appearance fee and a CD of copied New Zealand bands' music. Television presenter John Campbell gave Geldof a CD compilation of local songs, which the Boomtown Rats frontman and activist packed into his suitcase before he left Auckland on Friday night.

Geldof told the Herald on Sunday Campbell gave him a copied CD of "Kiwi music". The two men met on Thursday when Geldof was interviewed for TV3's Campbell Live.

"It had a track from Fat Freddy's Drop on it," Geldof said.

Campbell, a passionate New Zealand music fan and supporter, confirmed yesterday that he had made Geldof a CD from his own private collection. He said Geldof was a man of great influence.

"New Zealand music is fantastic. The more people who can hear it, like Bob Geldof, the better. I struggle to see how that can be anything other than positive."

The CD included tracks from Trinity Roots, Pluto, Greg Johnson and Holly Smith. It was made at home and came with a track-list handwritten by Campbell.

Yesterday, Campbell said he had spoken to the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand and EMI, who were both happy to permit him to copy the music.

The Copyright Act prohibits the copying and distribution of musical works "unless it is for private study".

Campbell said there was a big distinction between the copying of individual songs to promote New Zealand music and the full burning of whole CDs.

Geldof appeared thrilled to receive the gift from Campbell and was unrepentant that the CD was copied: "Why the bloody hell should I care?" he said.

Campbell also gave a compilation CD to Coldplay's Chris Martin when he interviewed the musician in Melbourne.

Fat Freddy's Drop spokesperson Sarah Hunter said the band didn't mind the CD as "John Campbell... is an extended member of the Freddy's family". But others in the music industry were slightly less complimentary. Anthony Healey of the Australasian Performing Right Association said "that to me seems wrong when artists like Fat Freddy's have worked really hard to produce something that people can buy in shops". Labour Minister Judith Tizard offered to "go and buy Sir Bob some New Zealand music from Real Groovy or Marbecks".

Geldof was in Auckland to speak at a motivational business leadership conference at the Aotea Centre on Friday, after which he criticised New Zealand for its level of foreign aid contributions. He told the Herald on Sunday he didn't know how much money he would receive for speaking at the function which charged punters $1495 per ticket. He laughed at suggestions he would donate the proceeds to charity.

"Why should I?" he said.

Geldof said he was a businessman who needed to earn money from speaking engagements. The Melbourne leg of the speaking tour was cancelled due to poor ticket sales.