Roy Elkins
Recently, I read an article posted in Billboard.biz written
by Glenn Peoples. His article stated that the RIAA is proposing to modernize
the music licensing system in the US. Lots
of ideas for change are proposed in this article, but the one that intrigues me
the most is the suggestion to bundle all of the rights into one licensing
system. This is not a new idea, but
probably new in the hallways at the RIAA. Most other western countries adopted this strategy years ago and because
the labels and the publishers really struggle with one another, the US has
lagged behind. I agree with the RIAA
that this is the right direction.
They also suggest a royalty from terrestrial radio to the
artists and labels. I have always found it strange that while the songwriters
and publishers receive performance royalties from radio airplay, the artists
and labels don’t. So many of the great
singers, who don’t write, do not receive one dime from radio play. Being primarily a songwriter, I really
shouldn’t be making this argument, but this is the right direction as well.
At the same time I find it bizarre that the artists and
labels receive a much larger rate from the streaming services than the writers
and publishers. That doesn’t seem quite fair
either. Without the song, there is no artist.
While download sales are flat and only be replaced by
streaming radio, serious action has to be taken. I would hope that they remove
any fixed rate and enable the etailers/services to pay a fairer percentage of
the revenue, rather than the statutory rates that are currently creating
stalemates. In some cases that has
happened, but as long as one fixed rate remains, the future of digital media is
in question. I have always believed that if music was more available at a lower
price, transactions would go through the roof and everyone would make more
money.
I don’t claim to be an expert on these topics, especially
the legal side, just an observer who hopes all artists, songwriters, labels and
publishers get their fair share in the future, and at the same time fans and
licensees can easily afford to acquire the content. The RIAA is headed in the right direction,
hopefully others will jump on board and support their efforts.
It's good that you mention it. Blanche
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