RIAA wants a government sanctioned monopoly


Not satisfied with what they are already getting, the RIAA moves to circumvent consumer choice
Between my trip last week and my cold this week, I missed posting a few links.

This one takes high priority.

A new bill (S.256) introduced in the US Senate this week would force satellite, digital, and Internet radio providers (but not over-the-air radio) to implement measures designed to restrict the ability of listeners to record audio from the services. Called the "Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act" (PERFORM), the bill is sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Joseph Biden (D-DE), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

If the name of the bill sounds familiar, it should. The bill was originally introduced in April 2006 with the support of the RIAA. It died in committee, but the senators are hopeful that the bill will pass this time around.

The thing is, there is already a Federal law that explicitly grants people the right to record off the air for their own use. It's hard to see how Congress can change that without revoking the prior law.

I've no problem with paying composers, songwriters, and artists for their work. But I have every problem with giving anyone perpetual license to pick my pocket every time I hear a snatch of music. Broadcasters including satellite radio already pay hefty fees to use music.

The RIAA is going to price itself out of business. Already there is a growing segment that is willing to take their music to the public directly.

The internet changes everything.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Fri - January 26, 2007 at 02:07 PM  Tag


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