[Fmpro] John Hutchinson and Music Tracking

[Mark Northam]

As these organizations sit on our money and generate interest from that
float, they have little motivation for quick payments. Indeed, the entire
system is full of bloat and antiquated, sometimes manual processes that
those involved seem to have no intention of speeding up.

For what it's worth, Hutchinson comes from VISA, whose technology for
tracking credit card transactions to the penny worldwide has been around for
30 years. After all of this, it's amazing to think that some of these
societies still use rooms full of people with headphones trying to "figure
out the name of the song" to track music, instead of embracing technology
that's been available and proven for some time now - specifically digital
watermarking.

And before we hear the cries of "it's unproven technology" and all the other
scare tactics promoted by those who apparently benefit from the inaccuracies
of the current system, note that well over a year ago:

-------------
VERANCE WATERMARKING TECHNOLOGY FOR FILM AND VIDEO
CONTENT LICENSED BY MICROSOFT
 
San Diego, CA­ February 15, 2005 --Verance Corporation announced today that
Microsoft Corp. has licensed the Verance Content Management
System/Audio-Visual  (VCMS/AVTM) watermarking technology from Verance.
Verance¹s audio watermark technology enables information to be embedded into
copyrighted film and video content prior to its distribution that identifies
the content, describes its range of permitted uses, persists throughout its
useful life, and can be read and understood by consumer and
computer devices.  
-------------

I'm sure Mr. Gates has done all the necessary due diligence to make sure
that Verance's products are free of any unreasonable legal risks.  So where,
exactly, does ASCAP stand on digital watermarking, given that ASCAP says it
has been "studying" the technology for the better part of the last 10 years?

[crickets]

Maybe the thought of all those people at ASCAP listening on headphones
trying to "name that tune" being replaced by far more accurate, cheap
technology is something they just can't imagine!

"Northam, how dare you propose this! Why, it would be BAD for the job market
in NYC! Imagine all those people that wouldn't have jobs anymore.... "

Bet,

Mark Northam



On 8/1/06 8:35 AM, "Claude Castonguay" <c.castonguay at videotron.ca> wrote:

> Quote
> "But, of course, say many collecting societies "Our members will
> protect us because we protect them and they love us for it."
> Really? I don't think so! As far as the performing right is
> concerned, distribution two years from performance for overseas
> collections is not unusual and it often takes longer. That is totally
> unacceptable. One year for domestic performing right royalties
> and even for mechanical royalties on the continent is quite normal.
> We have to do better than that!"
> 
> That's why i was wondering when he did this speech, because if he
> actually pronounced it before 2000, not many of is colleagues took
> note...
> 
> Best,
> 
> Claude

---------------------------------
Mark Northam - Publisher
Film Music Magazine
The Professional Voice of Music for Film & TV
http://www.filmmusicmag.com
1-800-774-3700 x702 / (310) 645-9000 x702