Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

MP3s In Foreign Countries

Posted by michael on from the note-heard-round-the-world dept.

KirTakat writes: "We see lots of links to information about MP3s in America (by this I mean most English speaking countries, which seems to be the major readership on Slashdot), and how they are being handled legally and the such, but how are they affecting other countries? Are they even mentioned in the news, or is the legal aspect of MP3s pretty much an American thing?" Maybe some readers can describe how the "music on the internet" debate has gone in other areas of the world.

3 of 192 comments (clear)

  1. MP3 in The Netherlands by whaley · · Score: 5

    In the Netherlands, I dont think there has been much discussion yet although its clear that the industry and the BUMA/STEMRA organisation (who get money from airplay, cd sales and blank tapes/CD-R sales) are watching the developments closely. The BUMA/STEMRA organisation (http://www.buma.nl click on the UK flag for English) have made a temporary arrangement where webmasters can pay a sum of money to legally put online some music. There has also been a campaign (i.e. posters, commercials)against illegal copying of music.
    Some time ago the Napster case was on national news and especially the djs of the Dutch public pop/rock radio station 3FM (http://www.3fm.nl) formed opionions. Some djs are clearly supporting mp3s.

  2. MP3 in Sweden by haeger · · Score: 5

    There has been quite a lot of talking about mp3 here. The napster-trial is on the news and most record-companies here are screaming bloody murder about the net-distribution of music.

    The most interesting point as I see it was a Recordlabel CEO that pointed out that what the recording industry was most afraid of was what he called "The lost generation" meaning that there is quite a large group of young kids who think that music is free. Us older geezers are used to paying for our music and use mp3 mostly for screening what we like and whats worth buying. The young don't have this behaviour and that could become a great problem for the industry.

    So a lot of programs on radio and TV discuss this topic and so far noone has a solution.

    /OSH

    Swedish government has finally figured out that the "opt-out" scheme for spam is worthless. It's better than never I suppose.

    --
    You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. -- Harlan Ellison
  3. moot question. by g_mcbay · · Score: 5
    Doesn't matter what all the foreign countries think about Napster, because all the good music comes out of the USA.

    Britney Spears, N' Sync, Vanilla Ice.. All the greats are from America.