 RAIN NEWS SUMMARY 3/31: SOUNDEX TO INVESTIGATE LAST.FM ROYALTY PAYMENTS ·Mar 31, 11:25 AM SOUNDEX TO AUDIT LAST.FM SoundExchange is training its audit sights on the CBS acquisition Last.fm. According to David Oxenford on the Broadcast Law Blog, the audit shouldn’t come to a surprise HD RADIO SHIFTS TO URGING LISTENERS TO BUY RECEIVERS The HD Digital Radio RAIN ANALYSIS: Interesting… just what were the previous $500 million (actually, $507.5 million, according to the Alliance here) worth of radio spots supposed to be doing? NOT urging listening to buy receivers? TRACKING RADIO ON SMARTPHONES Blackberry users will soon have a mobile guide to what’s playing on their favorite radio stations through a new application called “Radio Companion”. The software tracks the airplay of over 2,700 stations nationwide and gives users access to playlists and song info in real-time. Users simply download the free software and scan through a list of stations organized by city to select a list of “favorites” and begin listening. The software can be downloaded here.
DMCA-DEFENDER SAYS “PRO-IP” BILL ON THE WAY U.S. Rep Howard Berman (D-CA), whose stance on royalty legislation has not won him many friends in the radio and webcasting industries, recently told a tech policy conference that a “Pro-IP bill” is set to become law by the end of 2008. According to CNet report, “the bill ratchets up civil penalties for copyright infringement and creates a new federal agency charged with bringing about a national and international copyright crackdown.” Berman also defended the DMCA during his appearance at the conference, saying that despite controversy surrounding it, “by and large I think it makes a lot of sense.” share: del.icio.us.  Reddit  Digg  Yahoo  Wink  Windows  Google  Newsvine 
Comment Other stories RAIN 7/3: RAJAR claims spike in Internet radio usage, but findings are questioned RAIN 7/2: Site of the Day streams live in-club performances RAIN 7/1: Cryptic radio ads lead listeners online for new Fox TV show RAIN 6/30: Rehr admits radio should have fought harder against webcast royalties RAIN 6/27: ASCAP wants add'l royalty for HD2; Royalties take toll on big-name webcasters too RAIN 6/26: Chrysler to offer in-car Internet in all 2009 models RAIN 6/25: NAB's anti-performance fee act gains House majority RAIN 6/24: Westergren says Pandora business model "broken" by royalties RAIN 6/23: Columnist thinks XM, Sirius will live or die online; Soma on iPhones RAIN 6/20: MSN Radio gives up; Edison on covering spot breaks |
considering SoundExchange’s recent rumblings that the webcaster was getting a free royalty ride. The recording industry claims that companies like Last.fm build businesses while paying “subsidized royalty bills”, only to reap the benefits after an acquisition pay-day. Oxenford responds to that claim, writing that “while these companies may eventually be sold to a company that may better develop and monetize their audience, as happened with Last.FM, the record companies will receive significant royalty revenue if the new owners are successful in the development of the potential of the service.” Read the whole blog post 
Alliance is shifting its marketing push towards convincing consumers to buy HD-ready radio receivers. The new messaging (“HD Radio – It’s Time to Upgrade!”) begins today with ads in 100 markets on more than 700 stations. More than 1,600 stations broadcast in HD Radio; with over 600 of those 
offering “side channels.” Critical Mass Media says 77% of consumers are aware of digital radio, but fewer than 1 million receivers have been sold. See more in Mediaweek 
The DMCA makes sense? Is that what I should tell my artists when they ask me why I can’t play their entire CD on my webcast or why I need to make extra sure their recorded interview doesn’t violate the DMCA and shut my stream down? The only thing the DMCA benefits is the pockets of Rep. Berman and the record companies.
— ED Tankus · Mar 31, 01:11 PM · #