Comments on: ASCAP Demands Additional Performance Tax for Ringtones

By: Army wife

Army wife — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:27:50 +0000

Playing songs via ringtone, radio blaring in your car or house, whistling a tune… Those are all means by which to pass amongst pubilc, the knowledge of the works musicians create. It’s advertising really… How many times have you been like, ‘I really like that song, I ought to get it so I can enjoy it whenever I’d like.’ thats because radio stations provide artists an outlet to the community, to hear the music and get the artists name and music out in the world… The same with ringtones… You heard the song and said, ‘I want to get that song.’ so you paid for it like you do a cd at the store… Paying for the work of art created by the mucisian, and then become an opportunity of advertisement for that artist and their work… Because when anyone else hears your ringtone, your radio at home or in the car, you whistling or singing kareoke… If they like what they hear then they’ll buy the music. Would you charge someone a fee to come to your house for a party… And actually claim the proceeds are for the music played? No, because it’s not a concert! You might charge for food that you yourself had to pay for, or for the benefit of decorations for creating atmosphere… But no one plays music out of their car and tries to steal the music, make a profit, or claim the work of art as their own. If musicians aren’t making enough money, maybe it’s because they haven’t gotten their name out in the world enough through radio plays or concerts… Maybe no one really likes the music the artist created and their income only trickles. Or because there are so many artists fighting to be heard and become the next “big thing”. Maybe the internet needs to be better managed, or taken care of if you will. To make pirating obsolete, and Actually Do what the Warning Claims It Will Do if someone copies the music or movie without the proper purchase or approval of whoever it states, in the warning. Movies not meant for public viewing, and music not meant for public playing? What about the community events that bring children together for movie nights… Venues for adults to meet new people or just do something constructive together like kareokeing… There needs to be more of a definative answer really. All of this gray area is creating a problem. Why can’t people just come to a conclusion and accept right or wrong, period.

By: Royalty Group Sues T-Mobile for Unlicensed Ringback Tones

Royalty Group Sues T-Mobile for Unlicensed Ringback Tones — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:41:10 +0000

[...] BMI suit follows on the heels of a case from last year in which the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) had begun suing mobile [...]

By: 2009 – A ZeroPaid Year in Review – Part 2 of 3

2009 – A ZeroPaid Year in Review – Part 2 of 3 — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:28:03 +0000

[...] The United States made headlines in other ways as well. One of those headlines was ASCAP demanding an additional performance tax for ringtones. [...]

By: James

James — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:47:39 +0000

Industry wouldn’t have a far more difficult time manipulating politicians if we had campaign finance reform…which we all know will never happen.

By: JUDGE: Ringtone Not a Public Performance

JUDGE: Ringtone Not a Public Performance — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:29:18 +0000

[...] in June it was first mentioned here how the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) had begun suing mobile [...]

By: D.AN

D.AN — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:32:46 +0000

“… that exception was meant only for libraries.”

No, the exception is for any public location. As well, phones are not allowed to go off in any library.

———-
…

(4)

performance of a nondramatic literary or musical work otherwise than in a transmission to the public, without any purpose of direct or indirect commercial advantage and without payment of any fee or other compensation for the performance to any of its performers, promoters, or organizers, if–

(A)
there is no direct or indirect admission charge; or

…
———-

“Commercial advantage occurs when someone sells a ringtone.”

This article is about ringtones going off in public locations, imbecile.

By: EFF Slams ASCAP’s Proposed Ringtone Performance Tax

EFF Slams ASCAP’s Proposed Ringtone Performance Tax — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:45:17 +0000

[...] few weeks ago we mentioned how the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) had taken AT&T to court [...]

By: mal greenborg

mal greenborg — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:41:10 +0000

The Google-owned stooges at EFF are wromg, that exception was meant only for libraries. Commercial advantage occurs when someone sells a ringtone.

By: Mike Lulz

Mike Lulz — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:05:20 +0000

ASCAP = ASSHAT

Hey RIAA, I just whistled 5 notes of a tune, come sue me.

I haven’t paid for music or movies in 10 years and never will again.

By: Chad

Chad — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:34:56 +0000

Smart guys. Piss off the single largest network provider in the US. So much for sending infringement letters, and any shot at network cooperation in throttling file sharers. THANK YOU ASCAP!