Collective Licensing for Web-Based Music Distribution

Two weeks ago we discussed a proposal from music industry veteran Jim Griffin to implement a monthly fee from ISPs in exchange for the legal distribution of copyrighted music. Now, quinthar brings news that Warner Music Group has hired Griffin with the intention to make that proposal a reality. Warner wants Griffin to establish a collective licensing deal with ISPs that would let the ISPs stop worrying about their legal responsibilities for file-sharing while contributing to a pool of money (potentially up to $20 billion per year) that would be distributed amongst the music industry. "Griffin says that in just the few weeks since Warner began working on this plan, the company has been approached by internet service providers 'who want to discharge their risk.' Eventually, advertising could subsidize the entire system, so that users who don't want to receive ads could pay the fee, and those who don't mind advertising wouldn't pay a dime. 'I.S.P.'s want to distinguish themselves with marketing," Griffin says. "You can only imagine that an I.S.P. that marketed a 'fair trade' network connection would see a marketing advantage.'"

Comments

Re:what about TV?

[peipas]

Call me flamebait, but this is fucking ridiculous. So you're saying you shouldn't be paying for a service if it's not in its first degree serving you? For example, if you live a few blocks from your workplace, you should not have to pay taxes for a transit system? We are living in a society. The thing to understand is if people start paying a tax for something then they will no longer buy it, and those in the commercial sector realize this if they are considering it. It is more profitable to collect from all than some. How many roads do you think we would have if only those who used them paid?

And for fuck's sake, if you don't listen to music ever, it is the same as a bicyclist who never uses the interstate. And it's fine, but it's not an excuse for avoiding taxes. But honestly, it is an industry adapting. Are you saying it is unreasonable for them to adapt? Music is important to society at large. If you're upset about this, do you have unlimited funds for paying for your content repeatedly? If so, I commend your success.