The GazerBlog

Music Publishers and Writers Lobbying Congress for Additional Compensation for Digital Distribution

(Via MacRumors.)

So now you get a segment of the industry claiming that my private listening of a 30 second sample of a song is a public broadcast, and I should pay (through iTunes store, but ultimately, costs go to the customer) for a broadcast on the work that is being peddled to me that I may outright purchase?

Seriously, why are they doing this idiot fight? Change your negotiations on the rights for your work moving forward, and do it in such a way that is fair to you AND your customer, being those of use who continue to pay for your music despite your ongoing attempt to beat us up and make us go renegade and pirate it so you can turn around and sue us.

Nothing makes me happier than buying a disc or track from a true indie. One that isn’t via a big label or one of their million subsidiaries, one that writes their own music, a true artist or group of artists that market themselves, and build a relationship with their fans. Give them the money. I’ll buy direct when I can, but if they are on iTunes like the Heebee-Jeebees for example, I’ll go that way as I’ve got too many physical CDs already.

If you’re a songwriter, and you write for someone else, negotiate the royalty per copy, and a performance royalty per public performance, and look at it from the people who pay for it. Me listening to a 30 second sample to see if I want to buy it is not, in any sane person’s perception, a public performance of any kind. Radios, concerts, televsions shows, movies shown for profit or in public are public performances or broadcasts. Note the root in the word. Broadcast. More than a couple of people. Definitely more than one.

I’d like a list of artists that are on the side of the fans. Canada has one, but I’d like a worldwide list. They are there. Some are big names. This blog post gives a nice synopsis. C’mon artists. Sell us your works and we will pay you. It’s pretty simple. Play your concerts and we will buy tickets. Something for something.

Some people wonder why I didn’t pursue music more seriously. I think I would have gone psychotic in the days before widespread internet if I had. I believe in the audience. The industry forgot what an audience was long, long ago. Fortunately, there are many artists that are giving that spirit a much-deserved renaissance, and they have my support, both financially and emotionally.

Currently playing in iTunes: Use The Force by The Heebee-Jeebees