Webcasters and Record Industry Both Appeal Royalty Ruling

jonesvery writes: "Both Webcasters and record companies are appealing the proposed royalty structure suggested by an arbitration panel, according to this LA Times story. It should surprise no one that the Webcasters feel that the proposed royalties are absurdly high, while the record companies wants them to be higher -- at levels set in independent deals negotiated between the RIAA and a couple of dozen companies. The fact that many of the companies that made these independent deals with the RIAA couldn't make enough money to both pay the royalties and stay in business doesn't seem to worry the record companies much. Funny, that..." We did an earlier story about the royalty ruling. The internet radio community seems to be just a bit upset about the whole thing.

Comments

Webcasters have no ground here

[Dr Kool, PhD]

If you don't like the fee structure that the record companies propose then don't pay it and go out of business. Webcasters aren't entitled to the rights to broadcast music that isn't owned by them. As owners of the music, the record industry can and should be allowed to do whatever they want with their property. If they want to charge $1 million per song broadcast then that's their right. Who gave these arbitrators the right to fix the price that an American business charges?

Sombody needs to say fuck you.

[interstellar_donkey]

Really, they do. Just say 'fuck you' to the entire industry.

Start new record companys that tell bands 'hey, we're not as flashy as the big guys, but at least we won't screw you'

Start new radio stations online that don't conform to the big business/crap model that oozes over the airwaves.

Basically just stand up and say 'you know what? The entire music industry just sucks.' and start over from scratch.

Lets ignore the screwed up radio situation and broadcast online. Lets ignore the repressive record distribution system and sell CDs online.

Why go to court? Why even bother with the industry. Let the record executives sit around with their Britney Spears and other assorted flavors of the day. Just ignore them.

Let the real artists use the net in earnest to try to make a living. Hey, if your in a band, why try to work hard to get a record contract, considering that even if you get a contract, there is a 90% chance you'll end up in more debt then when you started?

Just say fuck you. Leave them alone. Let the big businesses keep doing this crap that they do, let them fail. Don't try to play their game. Use the Net and whatever non industry channels you can find and try your darndest to succeed that way.

Hey, I've got broadband. If a good rock station is out there that plays GOOD music I've never heard of, I'll stream it, and if I really like something, I'll probably buy the CD.