AfterDawn: News

RIAA wants royalties from public radio

Looking yet again for another stream of revenue, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has set its sights on public radio. The trade group that represents the music industry in the United States, believes that radio has been given free play time for too many years. The RIAA believes that this fact is unfair.

It's not just the RIAA either who think its time for public radio to pay up, Mary Wilson, one of the original members of the Supremes, is an advocate for this cause too. "After so many years of not being compensated, it would be nice to now at this late date to at least start. They've gotten 50-some years of free play. Now maybe it's time to pay up," Wilson said.



She claims that the exemption enjoyed by public radio forced artists to continually go on tour to earn money. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) does not agree with the RIAA's position at all. "The existing system actually provides the epitome of fairness for all parties: free music for free promotion," says NAB president David Rehr. Public radio stations have warned that having a royalty "tax" would cause serious financial harm to them.

Source:
DailyTech

Written by: James Delahunty @ 25 May 2007 19:10

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• 36 comments

• lindjay

  Public radio as in... any station from 88.5 - 107.9 fm and/or 530 - 1750 am? or N.P.R.? either way they RIAA is going to run the music industry into the ground one of these dayss

  25.5.2007 21:33 #1

• spydah

  They really reaching for anything to grab a hold of. This $h1t is ridiculous and its getting worst. We let these fools dictate to much BS.

  25.5.2007 22:04 #2

• jwwolf

  You go on tour not to make money but to keep your fans happy and interested in your music.And to give them an experience from your band that they wont forget.
  This should be a nice way for artist to rebel on this.Make a DO Not Play List.Let the RIAA make it and see how many artist wont agree with it, then the ones who do want be played, and see how well there sales do.Radio is promotional.

  25.5.2007 22:17 #3

• ZippyDSM

  I dunno what to say Miss idiot and the RIAA are totally out of touch on this.
  
  besides if the RIAA is not paying you enough tis your fault for signing away your rights...

  25.5.2007 22:45 #4

• BlasterX

  They are slowly killing themselves...

  26.5.2007 03:34 #5

• chesty

  Just a bunch of greedy corporate pigs.
  
  How many times have you gone into a music store and seen the same ole' humdrum music that has been throughly worn out for the last thirty years or so and being repackaged a million times ?
  
  The whole concept of copyright and patent issues in the United are so outdated and arcane that everytime any kind of broadcast that plays and pays royalties on unlistenable drivel it amounts to extortion.
  
  It's always the same ole' bullshit alternative and rap cds the entertainment cartels loving shoving down your kid's throats and corrupting their young impressionable minds throughly with perverted vile lyrics that leave little to the imagination.
  
  How would most people feel if there was a huge backlash to this kind of vile filth that the the religious right and other concerned morality groups decided to encourage parents to confiscate their kid's rap and alternative cds and uncermoniously threw them on a pile AND BURN THEM ?
  
  It would resemble the book burning incident in nazi germany on may 10 1933 when Adolf hitler decreed that all artisically suspect books and manuscripts were to be set ablaze.
  
  The RIAA are a bunch of shameless corporate pigs that represent a dying business model in which they will shamelessly sell your kids any kind perverted filth in which they have the arrogance and the audacity to ask for money everytime the perverted filth is played in a broadcast outlet and medium.
  
  I can go to LIVE365.COM and they even have broadcast stations that are involved in satan worship and they also have stations that are satanic and play death metal.
  
  Hey royality rates are the least of their worries.
  
  How would you people like a rerun of Tipper Gore and the video broadcast witchhunt of the 1980s ?
  
  They have people in congress talking about reviving the so called "fairness doctrine" and it has a lot of people in conservative talk show circuit worried about censorship.
  
  Rap and alternative cds are next.
  
  Then the morality police will have satan based websites run off the internet and internet radio stations that promote satanism will be also targeted.
  
  How about Air america ?
  
  They bash George Bush everyday.
  
  I am Quite sure there are people in congress that are actively scheming in how they can pass a anti internet porn and smut law that could pass judicial and legislative muster and run more than a few porn sites of the internet.

  26.5.2007 04:37 #6

• borhan9

  This is just another step towards complete privatization of everything.

  26.5.2007 05:51 #7

• mspurloc

  It's time to either get rid of public broadcasting or say it's a special case free from royalties. One or the other.
  The alternative is oversight and they act like children any time you bring that up.
  They want our money, but won't answer to us. And they certainly don't reflect America. Really, why not privatize them? In the case of PBS, they advertise, have commercials and are beholden to all sorts of shady political lobbying groups. And as for NPR, it's nothing but hate radio these days. An assault on reason.

  26.5.2007 14:14 #8

• ematrix

  Public radio should say: "I'm not paying royalties to RIAA, now they must pay me to play their crappy music".

  26.5.2007 18:08 #9

• PeaInAPod

  Quote:public radio forced artists to continually go on tour to earn moneyWell boo friggin' hoo. Thats a bunch of B.S., so the group wouldn't go on tour if they were payed radio royalties? It's more like if they didn't let their music be played on the radio no one would bother to go to their concerts.

  26.5.2007 20:45 #10

• cousinkix

  Don't you mean 88-92 FM in the USA? There are couple of other non-commercial stations and religious broadcasters on higher frequencies but their licenses are decades old.
  
  Maybe it's time to draw up a third blacklist of artists who do not deserve free publicity and advertising for their concerts. It won't be the first time either. Commercial rock stations had their own list of banned songs about drugs that weren't played in the 60s and 70s. Clear Channel drew up another list of songs that their stations would not play after the 9/11 attacks...

  27.5.2007 03:47 #11

• jb2453

  Quote:Mary Wilson, one of the original members of the Supremes, is an advocate for this cause too. "After so many years of not being compensated, it would be nice to now at this late date to at least start. They've gotten 50-some years of free play. Now maybe it's time to pay up," Wilson said.
  Its unfortunate that after 50-some years of free promotion Mary Wilson STILL cant figure it out. Because everyone WANTS to pay to hear public radio.
  
  I got a A+ on a math test in the 5th grade. I want you all to send me money so i'm compensated for my hard work. If i worked hard, I DESERVE your money. If you dont pay me, ill sue you.

  27.5.2007 04:36 #12

• venomX05

  Public radio is crap anyways, play the same damn songs over and over again, frankly, let them do what they want, cause you know what is going to happen, nobody to want to listen to them and then it is going to be nothing but satellite radio anyways...now if they hit that, oh well, guess it is .mp3 for life.
  
  Man, the RIAA is a bunch of b*thches, so now like after 50 some odd years, they FINALLY want to change the wheel. You know the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

  27.5.2007 04:53 #13

• guenthar

  Almost all the stations here are above 92 and everyone in my family except for me listens to the radio. Only a small portion of the people actually have mp3 players or sattelite radio and instead mostly listen to the radio or cds but it is mostly radio. If this goes through there will be millions and millions of pissed off people out there (including my family) since almost all the radio stations would go out of business since they are mostly just getting by and this royalty would kill them off.

  27.5.2007 10:59 #14

• Halen5150

  Originally posted by venomX05:Public radio is crap anyways, play the same damn songs over and over again, frankly, let them do what they want, cause you know what is going to happen, nobody to want to listen to them and then it is going to be nothing but satellite radio anyways...now if they hit that, oh well, guess it is .mp3 for life.
  
  Man, the RIAA is a bunch of b*thches, so now like after 50 some odd years, they FINALLY want to change the wheel. You know the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
  coudn't agree with you more. public radio does suck big donkey dick nowadays; for god's sake; 1/2 the music put on the radio I HATE and BASH anyways; so I'd like for PR to go down the drain.; it sux anyways......
  
  
  LIVE365 FOREVA!!!!!!

  27.5.2007 16:55 #15

• chesty

  Originally posted by cousinkix:Don't you mean 88-92 FM in the USA? There are couple of other non-commercial stations and religious broadcasters on higher frequencies but their licenses are decades old.
  
  Maybe it's time to draw up a third blacklist of artists who do not deserve free publicity and advertising for their concerts. It won't be the first time either. Commercial rock stations had their own list of banned songs about drugs that weren't played in the 60s and 70s. Clear Channel drew up another list of songs that their stations would not play after the 9/11 attacks...

  27.5.2007 17:39 #16

• chesty

  Originally posted by cousinkix:
  
  Don't you mean 88-92 FM in the USA? There are couple of other non-commercial stations and religious broadcasters on higher frequencies but their licenses are decades old.
  
  Maybe it's time to draw up a third blacklist of artists who do not deserve free publicity and advertising for their concerts. It won't be the first time either. Commercial rock stations had their own list of banned songs about drugs that weren't played in the 60s and 70s. Clear Channel drew up another list of songs that their stations would not play after the 9/11 attacks...
  
  
  
  
  Uh don't this smack like censorship?
  
  What all of those satanic based death metal stations on Live365 and what about Joy Of Satan Radio and Satanic Broadcast Net ?
  
  Christ living in the United States there are plenty of bible thumpers who basically have the same idea as you who would have nefarious intentions of pushing their PHONY religion down everybody's throat by silencing the satanist and wicca cult Broadcast outlets.
  
  That is the act getting played out behind the scenes............
  
  PURE UNADULTERATED CENSORSHIP.
  
  Jerry Falwell the poophead Just died last week.
  
  Bye Bye whatever you FAKE CHARLATAN AND FRAUD and i hope you rot in hell..........
  
  But again satan loves truly wicked people.

  27.5.2007 20:06 #17

• SamNz

  aaarrhhh thank god i live in nz where we are yet to get so big cu*nting ass corporation thats trying to kill music. also in NZ the government give bands money to help them get off the ground (not much but they do)
  but FU*K the RIAA i see why everybody hates them

  27.5.2007 20:51 #18

• Mez

  I always thought the radio stations had a free ride as they promote music. The pigs are really going too far. They blame the world for their inablity to stimulate creativity in the music industry. I thought that is why they get a century of royalities versis inventors only get 17 years. They do sooooooo much public good by stimulating the artists. They really should be cut down to 10 years worth of royalties if inventors only gey 17 years. No one gets paid for something they dii a century ago why should they? Next artists and architecs will want people to pay them if they happen to see a statue or building that they made as they go to work. This is really crazy!

  1.6.2007 06:12 #19

• Mez

  SamNz, they is because you live upside down! You and the Aussies had blood still going to your brains. Your sister countries, the US and CA are living on the top of the world and after 200 years of having no blood to the brain we have lost all sensabilities!

  1.6.2007 06:16 #20

• editmon

  I farted while standing in line at an airport once and didn't realize a member of the RIAA Gestapo was standing behind me. He proceeded to file a suite saying that the gaseous sound being emitted was a direct violation of the rights of ownership to some music they protect. He would not give me the artist name for fear of have to pay royalties to the artist but he told me to cease playing immediately or the authorities would be contacted. He did say he enjoyed the cheesy smell because it reminded him of some current music they protect. I hoped he would be sitting behind me on the plane so I could give him an encore.

  1.6.2007 08:10 #21

• emugamer

  Artists use the radio as an advertising medium. That's just obvious. If the radio stations couldn't play mainstream artists songs, then they would play other things. Local unsigned bands, more talk radio. I say the stations should forget the RIAA and just stop playing their music.
  
  And one of the original members of the Supremes? What the heck? Maybe she should have invested her money more wisely. Artists should go on tour to make their money. Let them work for it.

  1.6.2007 08:17 #22

• pmshah

  The radio stations were given special rights to air the songs & music so the general public would become aware of new compositions & songs. How else would they get free publicity? In fact there were times when the DJs on radio stations were regularly paid under the table to air some of the songs.
  
  I think by international laws any thing that is aired (not on cable) is free for all to record & spread as they may wish to do. No copyrights are piracy laws are applicable.

  2.6.2007 08:47 #23

• gmontalc

  RIAA is just another step towards complete COMMUNISM !.
  
  Is there any Civil Rights in the USA ?
  
  People in the USA have the right in Congress or to the Supreme Court to say something about it, and a Democratic voting if it is neccessary ?
  
  I want to make a prediction:
  
  Not to far into the future; Living beens, such as humans will have implans (right after birth) inside of the brain membrane a computerized circuit chip
  
  This "chip", will contain all kind of information personal, medical, sex, ect... likes or dislikes, also will retained and refresh data as you will experience new facts of life.
  
  Keep in mind that this "chip", will be WiFi connected to a massive computer via sattelite at all time. forever and ever...
  
  When this prediction come true, then will be no longer be human beens. will be androis robots.
  
  Quote:(something no to funny)PEOPLE ! Do you want this to happend ?; If you want something done, contact your Congressman, write them, let them know how you want a free democratic USA.

  2.6.2007 09:05 #24

• mspurloc

  Quote:RIAA is just another step towards complete COMMUNISM !.
  
  >>Well, if they implant spellchecker and grammar chips, I'll let you cut in line.
  
  "Is there any Civil Rights in the USA ?"
  
  >>It's "Are there" and "Civil Rights" is not capitalized.
  
  People in the USA have the right in Congress or to the Supreme Court to say something about it, and a Democratic voting if it is neccessary ?
  
  >>Diagram that sentence, please. Also, nobody has rights in the Supreme Court. They are a power unto themselves. That's part of our problem.
  
  I want to make a prediction:
  
  >>M'kay.
  
  Not to far into the future; Living beens, such as humans will have implans (right after birth) inside of the brain membrane a computerized circuit chip
  
  >>A chip in the brain membrane wouldn't do squat.
  
  This "chip", will contain all kind of information personal, medical, sex, ect... likes or dislikes, also will retained and refresh data as you will experience new facts of life.
  
  >>They don't need that. They can just check the cache on your browser. And...why would they care?
  
  Keep in mind that this "chip", will be WiFi connected to a massive computer via sattelite at all time. forever and ever...
  
  >>No worries. That's what the tinfoil hats are for.
  
  When this prediction come true, then will be no longer be human beens. will be androis robots.>>COOL!

  2.6.2007 11:31 #25

• rokmsokm

  I hate that these people are so talented that they don't have to anything but sit on their fat @sses and complain about not getting paid for something they did 50 years ago. If they (the artists) can't manage their money then go to mickey d's and get a damn job. As far as the RIAA... you wonder why p2p is soooooo popular. Sue and gouge the customer....what a great business model.

  6.6.2007 05:53 #26

• Mez

  gmontalc, this is not communism it is captialism alive and well and democracy has falled asleep at the wheel. We just need to fight for our rights instead of just complain. I have email my congressman about these issues when it was time to takeaway more of our rights. That bill did fail so some of us must have done something. Politicians will sell you down the river for 2 cents if they think no one is watching them. Even if you can't vote you can still email your congressman. They will pay attention to you if you have a correct ZIP code. They do not reaserch if you are a registered voter but they do check the ZIP code on your address. If it is in their district they assume you can vote. You can't just complain they will never remember. You need to wait for a bill that violates your rights and tell him you will not vote for him if he votes for the bill. They assume for every contact there are 100 more voters that feel the same way that are too lazy to write them. They take the nasty - grams very seriously.

  6.6.2007 06:35 #27

• guenthar

  What the RIAA is doing isn't even Capitalism (trade goods for money and money for goods) but actually just stealing since they are just sueing people to make a profit.

  6.6.2007 13:49 #28

• pmshah

  You should follow the election results in India. It is one big time leveller. Although our democracy is far from perfect you do see the complete turnarounds in response to issues close to their hearts.
  
  Unfortunately the 2 party system of US is not working too well. What was the only & easiest way for electing a president some 235 years ago - electoral college - when peoples' representatives had to travel by horses & buggies is no longer valid in today's times of very easy & fast communication. Theoretically an individual candidate can poll more than 60% of total voles & still be defeated. Really a very strange way of working.
  
  They should follow the French model of presidential elections. It can guarantee you fair election of the candidate with very definitely more than 50% share of the votes cast.
  
  BTW even in Japan they still do use paper ballots which always leave a trail & since hanky panky can be done with "Electronic Voting Machines" quite easily.

  6.6.2007 19:38 #29

• tucker001

  They can want all they want. I want a million dollars is it going to happen NO!!
  

  I don't need a sig.

  6.6.2007 19:50 #30

• Mez

  guenthar, capitalism is private companies maximizing profits by any means possible, ethical or not. That is exactly was the RIAA is doing.
  
  pmshah, the reason the elections work so well in India is the voters must have been fed up and voted the bad guys out. This happened at our local govenment. Our local government was so bad we also voted all the bad guys out. 12 of the 13 persons were voting for land developers and against the voters. The only person of the 13 that was re-elected was the one good guy. Things are different now the elected officials know the public in our area this in not the time for hanky-panky.
  
  Paper is just as easy to cheat as computers. You can make a "cheat proof" system with computers. In reality you can cheat but there will be a record. You write the votes to write once disks.

  7.6.2007 01:59 #31

• guenthar

  That is the way it is now but I'm talking about how it was originally but now it has been corrupted into something that should not be called capitalism but something closer to an economic dictatorship.

  7.6.2007 11:15 #32

• Unfocused

  Don't they already pay some kind of payment to the RIAA? How could the RIAA overlook this for 50+ years?

  18.6.2007 17:55 #33

• guenthar

  The RIAA gets free advertisement and the radio stations only play certain songs that they are allowed to play and only a certain length of that song. The RIAA is already making a very large amount of money through sales and they don't have to pay for very much advertising so the RIAA is getting a good deal by saving billions of dollars on advertising.

  19.6.2007 11:24 #34

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by guenthar:The RIAA gets free advertisement and the radio stations only play certain songs that they are allowed to play and only a certain length of that song. The RIAA is already making a very large amount of money through sales and they don't have to pay for very much advertising so the RIAA is getting a good deal by saving billions of dollars on advertising.not to mention normal radio shows and their bumper music has to be selected and ok'd from whatever conglomerate they work for.
  

  
  
  FIGHT THE M.A.F.I.A.A.
  

  19.6.2007 12:55 #35

• Amir89

  Unfknbelievable!!!
  
  What is it with the RIAA lately, have they gone on some sort of Grand Revenue Hunt?
  
  So obviously the iPod and other MP3 players are also illegal because they allow music to be copied onto them?
  
  And therefore iTunes, etc.. are also illegal software because they allow you to 'rip' CDs.
  So following this logic, the RIAA should also sue Apple, Creative, iRiver and anybody involved in producing MP3 players and CD ripping software.
  
  Woops looks like the CD format is probably illegal too as it doesn't come with DRM so they should sue all companies that produce CDs, especially the awful people at 3M, TDK and Verbatim who produce writable CDs!
  
  And then they should also sue the whole of the music industry for producing music on CDs.
  Finally.. the would need to sue themselves as they represent the music industry and they can't afford to represent piracy.
  
  Extra, Extra: RIAA sues self for copyright infringement and demands that it be forced to admit it's illegal

  1.1.2008 15:03 #36