Slashdot Mirror
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.
Communist slime like you shouldn't be allowed to post on slashdot. If record companies have a monopoly then it's only because they have run their business better than everyone else. They aren't immune to downfall. No one put a gun to Britney Spears' head and said "Sign this contract!" She could have promoted herself if she wanted to, and produced and manufactured her own records.
Britney knew that when she signed the contract her music wouldn't be allowed to be distributed over the internet without hefty costs. But the benifits outweighed this drawback because the record company provided a great service. No one is expolited when both parties are willing participants.
Here's what you should do if you think these record companies are doing things backward: Stop jacking off to penguin porn and get your smelly, red, communist ass away from the computer and START YOUR OWN RECORD COMPANY. If you can provide the same service that the big labels provide AND you allow internet distribution then you should be able to attract all the good artists. So either put up or shut up, Marx boy.