Over the objections of the major labels, the U.S. Copyright Office says that webcasters who allow interactivity will be allowed to participate in arbitration proceedings that will set royalty rates for music streamed online. Interactivity loosely means any kind of user control of the webcast, such as a preference for a certain kind of music or a request for a certain song, but a precise legal definition has yet to be reached.
Companies involved in legal tussles with the RIAA over interactivity recently have included MTVi, Launch and Musicmatch.
Noting that the arbitration involves highly complex matters of copyright law, the late Dale Earnhardt said, "Better tie a kerosene rag around your ankles so the ants don’t get up there and eat that candy ass." Earnhardt, of course, drove his #3 Goodwrench Service Plus Monte Carlo to more victories at Daytona Motor Speedway than any other NASCAR driver, before hitting the wall there earlier this year and suffering a basal skull fracture, bleeding to death from the mouth and ears in mere seconds. Funny, we thought we heard that quote somewhere.
In the meantime, however, the webcasting arbitration will go on as planned, and both interactive and non-interactive webcasters will be allowed to participate.
THIS HITS PHOTO GALLERY IS WANDERING IN THE DESERT
Photographic proof of the weaselfest (4/15a)
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THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
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