Comments on: p2pnet World Headlines – June 16, 2009

By: Natanael L

Natanael L — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:00:19 +0000

“for some reason performing classical is covered under license by SOCAN.”

Really!?!? Then that confirms it – they ARE trying to kill public domain!

http://www.free-culture.org – Download the book in HTML format! And read The Long Tail too.
And 1984 …

I’ve read about an artist here in Sweden who had a contract with STIM (probably the same type of organization as the ones you mentioned) and wanted to share his own music for free on his site – but then he had to pay for that to STIM, because all copies must be payed for…
But they ARE going to allow Creative Commons licenses now (we are talking about a commercial music organization doing that!) for the artist who want to share their music for free!

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:53:10 +0000

@indeedy:
We’d find it funny, for the humour, but then SOCAN would actually figure it out and try to implement it.

As far as I know, I still can write and perform my OWN material and SOCAN (et. al.) get NOTHING! However, if ever they come looking for money for my own stuff, then we’ll have a serious problem.

By: indeedy

indeedy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:39:55 +0000

@Robert,

When I saw this I thought the same thing.

I think Jon should write up a mock-up of this and beat them to the game.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:18:01 +0000

Playing Music in a Nightclub:
Two things…
1) I’m sure SOCAN will jump all over this and try for the same in Canada, bleed people dry
2) I’m hoping others will be as pissed as I am with SOCAN’s greed and say “f–k you, I’ll write and perform my own s–t”

With 2) we should see an increase in creativity. Not all of it will be good, but not all that is a part of SOCAN is actually good either.

I suspect 2) will also bring about a lot more “that’s too similar to our artists’ music” law suits to already poor performers/club/restaurant/etc… who can’t afford SOCAN’s fees already.

But maybe this could be the start of a backlash? Maybe clubs will hire more local live talent? Restaurants too?

I’m struggling for my wedding to write the music so I don’t have to pay SOCAN for someone playing classical, even if that performer of the music is not a member of SOCAN (at least that’s how I read SOCAN’s license sites). I highly doubt Bach/Mozart/Handel are members of SOCAN either, but for some reason performing classical is covered under license by SOCAN.