Why no one feels bad for the music industry

Posted on Twitter by RobRohan This image pretty much sums up how much influence the entertainment industry(corporations) have over legal systems.

What is important here is that both highlighted stories are about compensation for loss but somehow uploading a music single is the worse act over death of a person in an air accident. If organisations like RIAA took the money and time they spend on suing people and getting government legislations through on innovative ways of getting the music out to people then everyone would benefit ... surely

Posted: 19-Feb-2010

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Comments

You're link is missing a 'g'

#1 Joe Zack
19/Feb/10 3:22 AM

That just rediculos! $80,000 per song... really?? Also, your image link is missing the "g" in "jpg".

#2 Ben Nadel
19/Feb/10 5:37 AM

@joe @ben Thanks. Link fixed

#3 Andy Jarrett
19/Feb/10 8:34 AM

No, the punishment doesn't fit the crime, but downloading music illegally is just wrong. I find it hard to feel sorry for the people commiting the offenses. Of course they are being made examples of. Good. With services like Rhapsody available, which is reasonably priced, there is no excuse for it. At the same time, I think some of our royalty laws are just ridiculous. A bar owner that has a live band playing cover songs has to also pay royalty payments for each song covered. No, they can't enforce this for every bar, but you'd be surprised just how many bars and restaurants are paying royalty fees to play music in their establishments.

I am a songwriter in Nashville btw.

#4 Grant Copley
23/Feb/10 5:44 PM

@Grant I never said it was right, but the punishment has to fit the crime regardless. You don't teach through excessive force thats called bullying.

Also what I don't know, and you might be able to help, is how much of this compensation gets back to the artist(s)?

#5 Andy Jarrett
23/Feb/10 7:11 PM

@Andy - My apologies for my previous rant. This subject hits home for me and it's upsetting. I know the point in your blog post was comparing the $80k for a single download, versus the $24k being paid to families over the death of a person in an air accident. I got off topic somewhat.
In terms of what compensation get's back to the artist, that depends on a long line of complexities and contractual arrangements, but here are some links that will hopefully help.
http://www.ascap.com/about/payment/paymentintro.ht...
http://www.musicpowers.com/publishingdeals.html
Compensation from record sales vs. compensation for television, cable, radio, live use, etc. are completely different and paid differently. Record sales royalties are usually managed by a publishing company for the artist. Other mediums are usually handled through ASCAP. Hope this helps :)

#6 Grant Copley
24/Feb/10 2:25 PM