Music-bar Radio

[Bill Fox]

Tony Scharf wrote:
> The biggest issue and stumbling block is the really stupid
> ASCAP/BMI/SOCAM licensing crap.  We looked into it (a friend of mine
> and I wanted to do a podcast) and to do it legally you had to pay
> royalties. EVEN IF YOU HAD NO ASCAP MEMBERS IN YOUR PLAYLIST!!! I
> havnt looked into it recently, but I doubt the rules have gotten less
> restrictive over time.
>
> About the only time you can legally broadcast tracks in this way
> (podcast or netcast) is to play your own and no one elses.  Even then,
> the rules are a bit murky.
>
> Not to rain on anyones parade here, but before we put anything on a
> public server, we should check out what the compliance requirements
> are.  From my old Carbon Haze days, I am actually an ASCAP member, so
> I know my tracks would either not be playable on the the bar's
> broadcast, or someone would have to pay them their annual due.
>   
Stillstream and electro-music play music without paying any royalties to 
BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, GEMMA, Soundscan, or any other entity.  They only 
play music released under a Creative Commons license.  Stillstream will 
play music licensed under BMI, ASCAP, et al but ONLY if the copyright 
owner provides them with a license to do so royalty-free.  Tony, if 
you're an ASCAP member, yes, they want to collect royalties for you but 
YOU are the copyright holder and have the right to issue a license to 
any entity you choose to play your music free from royalties.  
http://radio.electro-music.com and http://stillstream.com are good 
models to follow.

I hope that this encourages us to move forward with Music Bar Radio.  
The royalty collection agencies are powerless against the licenses 
granted by the copyright holders.

Cheers,

Bill