RIAA Officially Crazy, Calls Radio 'A Form of Piracy'

[demonon]

By Soulxtc

Wants broadcasters to begin paying royalties like everyone else.

The music industry is getting increasingly desperate these days. Proof lies in the fact that it's ramped up its efforts to get terrestrial radio broadcasters to pay the same amount in royalties that their brethren do on internet and satellite radio.

For radio has long enjoyed an odd exception under federal copyright law that requires it only to compensate songwriters and publishers, but not the musicians themselves. After going after mothers, children , disabled veterans, and even the deceased, I guess it was only a matter of time before its lawyers sought ought fresh targets.

With the latest revenue target in mind, a group called musicFirst, representing the recording industry, recently sent the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) a can of herring, a dictionary, and some free digital songs in an attempt to mock the group and highlight its fight to make them pay an equal amount in royalties as everyone else.

"It's a form of piracy, if you will, but not in the classic sense as we think of it," said Martin Machowsky, a musicFirst spokesman. "Today we gifted them a can of herring, about their argument that they provide promotional value. We think that's a red herring. Nobody listens to the radio for the commercials."

What's particularly funny in all of this is that seems to be a case of reverse payola and shows just how out of touch the music industry is these days. It used to pay radio stations to get bands some exposure and now it wants to make them pay to expose their bands?

Oh my has the recording industry lost its mind.

source: ZeroPaid

[shought]

Very, very funny ;)

ps could I get some of that herring? I like fish ;)

[Jman123]

I actually laughed out loud after reading this.

[voodoohippie]

I knew it, I knew it. I told folks back in 2003 that this whole DRM thing was not to stiffle piracy, but it was a way to control music piriod. Also I told people in 2003 when satellite Radio started to be popular that Broadcast Radio would be going and you'd have to pay a fee to listen to the Radio. Well looks like I was right again. I guess I'm psychic or just maybe I know the greed of non spiritual humans like those of the RIAA/MPAA who will stop at nothing to get every penny they can.

How can you stop this:

1. Educate educate educate those who are non tech savy that they need to donate to the EFF and protest protest protest for their sheer enjoyment of the Radio will depend on it. Mention on Yahoo chat rooms such as Adult-by location-your sate. Check for rooms where people carry on a good conversation. Mention in the rooms about how the Radio will be abolished and show the link in the room. Get people to start to believe you and get them talking. Tell the people they need to join the EFF and protest. You may want to start an education forum to educate the lame masses about how bad the RIAA really is. Meet in Electronic stores and get others involved. Really the Radio has a death sentense and you need to send links just like many send those lame ass chain e mails. Instead send something useful and save yourself from most certain communist acts by these greedy dictators.

The RIAA has crossed the line and now they need a severe bashing by everyone in America. If it takes education about Inde bands so be it. But remind the adults who enjoy groups like Boston, Steve Miller, Electric Light Orchestra, Chicago, Shaniah Twain (have to include adult contempory music so that they too will see what they will lose if the don't act now.

Its now live or die. You love music and appreciate it, now its time to fight for what you love. Radio has been FREE since my Mom was a little girl and I'm 44. So lets not let the RIAA ruin America. Fight to the Death if necessery. This is not a damn Joke and no one should be laughing. You should be ashamed of yourself if your even thinking about one snicker. Its not funny anymore and its time to stand up and fight just like the protests in the 60's. Remember many could die, but its your FREEDOM that your protecting. In America the FREE is gone and only the Dumb is left.

[leland]

I'm a programmer at a local community radio station. The fees that we have to pay to web cast went up last year and that seems was only the beginning. If we don't stand up for what we believe and enjoy it will be taken away little by little. the FCC setup community stations such as ours to provide radio training for communities and to educate the public as well as entertain. Now it seems the corporations want to take everything from us. Very Sad.

Leland

[demonon]

I agree, the RIAA doesn't know what they are doing or what they are talking about, but I do know they take away all the freedom man has on the internet and therefore they need to be stopped.