My name is Rich Bengloff and I work for the American Association of Independent Music ("A2IM") - we are the independent music label trade organization here in the United States. My organization is a proud member of the musicFIRST Coalition (www.musicfirstcoaltion.org), an organization of 160 artists - from independents to major label artists - and eleven music industry organizations. I am on the SoundExchange board of directors where the artist representatives have 50% of the votes, not the RIAA. We independent labels often vote with the artist representatives on the SoundExchange board and combined we, and not the major record labels and the RIAA, have the majority vote. That said, the reality is that most of the time we all agree on the issues, which is to support the music community and the protection of intellectual property. This is clearly one of those times! I have been following the conversation here and really don't understand why some people don't feel performing artists should be compensated for their creativity and record label owners compensated for their investment in producing the music. I like poetry too so I would like to share a poem the Coalition wrote in honor of the introduction of the legislation this week that would finally give performers fair compensation when their music is used for commercial gain. It is tongue-in-cheek, but it gets the point across.
Happy holidays and please go out and buy some music today!
Rich
T'was the Night Before Recess
T'was the night before recess in the Senate and House; As our leaders worked hard to correct a great louse.
A fair performance right danced in their mind; They could no longer leave the artists behind.
The time for a change was painfully clear; Performers have been ignored for 50 plus years.
The copyright loophole needed to be fixed; It wasn't fair that their talent and hard work was continuously nixed.
Why are artists not paid when their music is played? Shouldn't radio be held to the very same grade?
Satellite, Internet and cable all see; Without the music, where would they be?
The Senate and House held hearings to learn; And better understand the artists' concern.
First in the House they heard from Sam and Judy; Oh how quickly the broadcasters became moody.
Onto the Senate were Alice and Lyle; Where Alice wowed them with her acoustic style.
The artists' argument was more than sincere; It's their hard work we lovingly hear.
Performers like these bring music to life; Yet still, NAB continues this strife.
"We promote the artists," they continually say; As they cash their large checks at the end of the day.
It's music that drives the radio's ad revenue; How is it that artists should not receive their fair due?
Out on the horizon two great heroes appeared; Mssrs. Berman and Leahy who the NAB feared:
"We'll make this right, we'll close the loophole; Our colleagues in Congress we will work and cajole." . With wisdom and clarity legislation was crafted; Ignoring poison pills that were floated and drafted.
Some will receive special considerations; Like small, religious, and noncommercial stations.
It's time to remove this long standing flaw; This amendment will change the copyright law;
Then Hatch and Issa and Corker and others; Joined to do the right thing as taught by their mothers.
Our Members of Congress have heard from both sides; We have complete confidence that fairness resides.
As we look ahead to a sparkling New Year; We hope your holidays are full of good cheer.
In 2008, we'll continue our fight; It's only fair that artists receive a performance right.
Slashdot Mirror
My name is Rich Bengloff and I work for the American Association of Independent Music ("A2IM") - we are the independent music label trade organization here in the United States. My organization is a proud member of the musicFIRST Coalition (www.musicfirstcoaltion.org), an organization of 160 artists - from independents to major label artists - and eleven music industry organizations. I am on the SoundExchange board of directors where the artist representatives have 50% of the votes, not the RIAA. We independent labels often vote with the artist representatives on the SoundExchange board and combined we, and not the major record labels and the RIAA, have the majority vote. That said, the reality is that most of the time we all agree on the issues, which is to support the music community and the protection of intellectual property. This is clearly one of those times! I have been following the conversation here and really don't understand why some people don't feel performing artists should be compensated for their creativity and record label owners compensated for their investment in producing the music. I like poetry too so I would like to share a poem the Coalition wrote in honor of the introduction of the legislation this week that would finally give performers fair compensation when their music is used for commercial gain. It is tongue-in-cheek, but it gets the point across.
Happy holidays and please go out and buy some music today!
Rich
T'was the Night Before Recess
T'was the night before recess in the Senate and House;
As our leaders worked hard to correct a great louse.
A fair performance right danced in their mind;
They could no longer leave the artists behind.
The time for a change was painfully clear;
Performers have been ignored for 50 plus years.
The copyright loophole needed to be fixed;
It wasn't fair that their talent and hard work was continuously nixed.
Why are artists not paid when their music is played?
Shouldn't radio be held to the very same grade?
Satellite, Internet and cable all see;
Without the music, where would they be?
The Senate and House held hearings to learn;
And better understand the artists' concern.
First in the House they heard from Sam and Judy;
Oh how quickly the broadcasters became moody.
Onto the Senate were Alice and Lyle;
Where Alice wowed them with her acoustic style.
The artists' argument was more than sincere;
It's their hard work we lovingly hear.
Performers like these bring music to life;
Yet still, NAB continues this strife.
"We promote the artists," they continually say;
As they cash their large checks at the end of the day.
It's music that drives the radio's ad revenue;
How is it that artists should not receive their fair due?
Out on the horizon two great heroes appeared;
Mssrs. Berman and Leahy who the NAB feared:
"We'll make this right, we'll close the loophole;
Our colleagues in Congress we will work and cajole."
.
With wisdom and clarity legislation was crafted;
Ignoring poison pills that were floated and drafted.
Some will receive special considerations;
Like small, religious, and noncommercial stations.
It's time to remove this long standing flaw;
This amendment will change the copyright law;
Then Hatch and Issa and Corker and others;
Joined to do the right thing as taught by their mothers.
Our Members of Congress have heard from both sides;
We have complete confidence that fairness resides.
As we look ahead to a sparkling New Year;
We hope your holidays are full of good cheer.
In 2008, we'll continue our fight;
It's only fair that artists receive a performance right.