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April 20, 2007
Save Net Radio
I received a troubling note from Tim Westergren, founder of Flea-fav internet gadget, Pandora. I am all for artists being paid royalties for their work - for obvious reasons - but proposed license fees strike me as the workings of an abusive and monopolistic old media hierarchy that sees its audience vanishing onto the internet.
American Flea-readers might usefully consider the SaveNetRadio petition while Canadians might turn a baleful eye toward Ottawa.
Posted by Ghost of a flea at April 20, 2007 07:14 AM
Comments
My favorite regulation in all of Canadian law is Tariff #7 which imposes the fee for music at roller skating rinks: http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/1999/19990529/html/socan-e.html
Sadly, no one thought adding a dime a month to the IP services was the way to go. Now it is focused and might end one of the actual uses of the internet.
Posted by: Alan McLeod at April 20, 2007 08:54 AM
Though, having said that, Tarriff #8 has a lot going for it too:
"...the operator of the premises shall pay for each event at such reception, convention or assembly or for each day on which such fashion show is held, as follows:
Without Dancing $28.75
With Dancing $57.55"
I had no idea there were fashion shows with dancing. You have kept me in the dark, Mr. Flea, as I suspect such things are the key to your Tuesday evenings.
Posted by: Alan McLeod at April 20, 2007 08:55 AM
Sadly, I have never been invited to an evening of fashion show and dancing. Though now I am thinking an evening of steamed-out beauties with Flea-couture might be just the excuse I need. The license fee is no bar to such pursuits...
From a very brief encounter with a consulting firm that deals exclusively with Canada's music copyright process I am confident nobody involved has the interests of the artists, let alone the listening public, at heart. An hour in that office and I still feel dirty two months after the fact.