Canadian Collection Society Pushing Gymnastics Clubs To Pay Up For Music
from the it's-contagious dept
We've been seeing a ton of stories in the last year concerning collection societies around the world increasing their efforts to collect money from any sort of entity that plays music ever -- even if it actually ends up causing significant harm to new and up-and-coming musicians. The efforts usually focus on two areas: (1) increasing the fees they're able to demand from venues (usually set by the government) and (2) getting places that barely play any music at all to pay up at exorbitant rates. SOCAN, up in Canada, is supposedly working on both of these fronts, with reader Adam Bell pointing out that it's been going after gymnastics clubs because a small number of kids who use them practice routines done to music. But, of course, SOCAN wants to calculate fees not based on the small number of people who actually use music (which is usually intended for themselves, anyway, not for others -- which should exclude the usual "ambiance" reasoning that collections societies claim), but the "average number of persons per week per room multiplied by $2.14." This can really add up for small businesses, and many gymnastics clubs are refusing to pay, recognizing that they might not be able to afford it at all if they want to stay in business. It's difficult to see how that helps anyone.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: canada, collection societies, copyright, gymnastics clubs
Companies: socan
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It's hard to charge a fee based on who else can listen if everyone has a personal music player that can only be heard by the only person wearing it.
In this case, problem solved. The kids can still practice their routines while still listening to their own private source of music.
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I'm sorry but this whole thing is total BS. If I purchase music and play it for my own use - within reason - then I refuse to be held responsible for else might be able to hear it. Common sense must prevail.
There was a really interesting post on Gizmodo today regarding the fudging of royalty numbers by the recording industry. I've never read anything that made me want to support stealing from the labels more than that story. Mike, I think you should repost it here so we can discuss it since this is a forum for that topic.
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I think they're working on something that gives the user the ability to listen to music, or books, or whatever on a private scale. And if they're not working on something like it, maybe they should be.
Because I would totally buy some of those for all my gymnasts. Maybe you could pick up a dozen at the local 7-11. For $10. What a steal.
And then you wouldn't have nosy collection agencies mouthbreathing down your neck asking you to pay up. Is what I was getting at.
You cannot fight the future. But you sure as hell can fight the present.
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You mean this story we wrote yesterday?
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20091201/1957497156.shtml
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Who it helps
In this case it might hurt the collection societies sooner. Just about every legislator has a child, grandchild, or other young relative who is in some type of dance/gymnastics class. Every town of any size has probably got a studio or two. It is entirely possible the legislatures would be willing to carve out an exception for these types of clubs. And, if that happens there will be other groups wanting exceptions, too. It is very possible the collection societies might find that 8 year old girls were the wrong group to pick on.
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Minnesota goes quiet.
Those collection entities are having an effect on the market. People just don't play music or employ artists to sing songs LoL
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I would imagine that the owner operator of the venue would be responsible so the local government should be charged for allowing their music to be heard.
I used to think that the Musician's union in Terry Pratchett's Soul Music was an extreme parody now they come off as mild.
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I would imagine that the owner operator of the venue would be responsible so the local government should be charged for allowing their music to be heard.
And then maybe the local government would be more proactive about keeping the noise levels down! I hate loud cars...
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Wait, what? I bought a CD of 100 classical music pieces. I've already paid for the music. But b/c my guests will be listening to the CD, not just me, I have to fork over extra money. And luckily there is no dancing! That would have been extra.
Also, I highly doubt Mozart, Bach and Vivaldi will be getting any of the royalties....
Stupid nonsense.
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an entire new market for an indie band?
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Pay up for music
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Re: Pay up for music
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it's not the playing, it's the listening
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SOCAN Fees
This typifies how the world got to where it is...
Michael Mayzel
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