[BC] ASCAP and BMI and Rights

[Harold Hallikainen]

>  He's
> making money DIRECTLY off the songs, broadcasters are not.  You can spin
> it
> any way you like, but
> your arguments are unpersuasive.  Yes, music does attract an audience, but
> that audience is not
> paying anything to the radio station to listen to the music.
>

Copyright holders (generally content creators) hold exclusive rights to
the reproduction and use (including public performance) of their works
(with limited exclusions through "fair use"). It is THEIR decision as to
what they want to allow or disallow, and how much to charge. If we don't
like what one composer charges, we can hire another. If there's a problem
with collusion or price fixing between composers, that could probably be
dealt with at the FTC. I think it's good that those who create works get
to retain control of those works (what's copyright run now? Something like
life of the author plus 70 years?). There SHOULD be competition in the
music creation business. Stations, as consumers of music, should be able
to choose from a variety of sources from heavily promoted high cost hits
to less expensive or even free music that's very good.

Harold


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