I used to be very supportive of the music industry's effort to protect their intellectual property. Intellectual property is an important part of the modern economy.
But when I consider the content of the music industry's product I realize that to some extent the system is self-regulating. If an artist's music appeals to people that will steal it, then that artist gets what he or she deserves.
You can't sell music that advocates stealing, loose ethics, violence, and a "don't give a damn" attitude and not expect the listeners of that music to steal what you've made.
Now Madonna certainly isn't the worst, but I suspect she'll lose money in proportion to her lack of virtue.
Madge?
Her video was really gross. Who wants to see a 50 yr old butt. Granted she's in great shape but she's still oooooold.YUK!
So someone within the organization or studio leaked it. Same as with Hollywood films.
And yet they put copy protection on purchased CDs. Those insider bootlegs have NO copy protection.
And while someone MAY try to bring a camera into a theater to shoot a film, the copies that circulate widely around the world again come from inside connections, not off a screen. Yet consumers have to now deal with being scanned as we enter a theater. Countless shootings at movie theaters over time and never once did they install metal detectors. But now that a phone is a camera, suddenly they believe everything will fall apart without "security". I'd just settle for them hiring someone to hush those who talk during the movie.
An artist of her fame doesn't need a label anymore these days anyway. Home studio. Self-released title. Make a marketing deal with Best Buy. Does she expect to find stations that will play her new album? She should talk to Prince.
Besides, if her album IS the dance ladden trove they are claiming here, it will take hold in the dance clubs and become something that lives on for decades. Compilations will continue to license the song. Movies and tv commericals will license the song. Publishing is where the money is, not unit sales. That is just a "top 10" chart listing (that has a music playlist component and being sold through the "right" channels).
If she is going to complain about the company she works for, she should hold her cards closer and do it herself.
Then again, many DJs these days use mp3 (or other digital copies of tracks) and even compose their own mixes. AND they are provided free promotional copies of the songs.