[BC] ASCAP and BMI and Rights

[Greg Newton]

Would it all be okay if they only used cheap lawyers right out of mediocre 
law schools and served just generic pretzels and Methodist punch at their 
promotional events for their clients? That might get the thousands of 
artists who aren't among the top 30 or 40 writers another nickel or two a 
year.

(FWIW, they might already be using those cheap lawyers...one of the PRO's 
is after a local bar here that features live music some night, and the suit 
names songs played on nights when there apparently was no band playing and 
even on dates *after the suit was filed*)

They fill a need in the market, providing a service to songwriters and 
those who use the music. If you don't like the way they provide the 
service, the fee they charge, or the way they do business, there is nothing 
forcing you to work with them, although if you wish to continue to use the 
music that others have created to further your business interests, you 
would find it far more expensive, and exponentially more difficult. Or you 
could just not play any music that they license.

There are basic problems with current copyright law, the biggest being the 
ridiculously long term and copyrights carrying over beyond the life of the 
creator. But until somebody other than the big content portfolio holders 
has the ear of Congress, it is what it is.

--On Saturday, February 04, 2006 1:13 PM -0500 WFIFeng at aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 02/04/2006 11:36:03 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> newtong at ohio.edu writes:
>
>> I'd guess that, although lots of folks complain, the answer is about the
>>  amount that ASCAP et al. collect in the current system...otherwise,
>>  more  artists and stations would opt to go it alone. And wind up
>>  spending way  more in transaction costs.
>
> If the "Music Mafia" disbursed MORE of those funds to the people who
> deserve  it, rather than waste it on expensive lawyers, goons, and big
> parties, things  would be far better all-around.
>
> Willie...
>
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