[Fmpro] ASCAP and Technology

[Mark Northam]

Lots of the board members mouthed their concerns, etc about technology
somehow being a threat to performing rights royalties, and to me that's
exactly the problem - rather than seeing technology like watermarking and
better automated tracking as a benefit, they see it as a threat, and the
results are self-evident - PROs who use technology reluctantly, to benefit
certain groups only, with it's usage custom-designed to maintain the status
quo of who's getting paid what as best they can...

Hal David's been on the board for a long time - plenty long enough for him
to become a leading voice about implementing watermarking, etc. Have we
heard word one from him about this? Nope. Did he answer the FMPRO board
members questionnaire at the last election? Nope. Did he answer the Film
Music Magazine questionnaire at this election? Nope again. That demonstrates
the kind of arrogance and contempt that so many in the board apparently have
for honest, legitimate questions from members about their positions on
important issues. Has Hal volunteered HIS board attendance records? Nope.

I'll say it again... The massive amount of unpaid, untracked musical
performances is the elephant standing in the middle of the room at the PROs.
If they tracked and paid all of these performances, existing members' checks
would decrease, something that would not go over well with many members.

What we're seeing is the strategic non-use of technology in order to
maintain the wealth levels of certain groups of members. It's a system
that's rotten from the head on down, and only a major influx of new board
members who are committed to something more than maintaining their own
personal royalty checks and board positions is going to get us closer to
fairness and accuracy in PRO royalty payments.

Simply put, it's time for a regime change at ASCAP. The arrogant,
"party-line" position of the ASCAP Board must give way to individual
accountability and independent, thoughtful dialogue with all interested
members, not just those invited to the "high earner's meeting"and the like.

No more unlimited board terms for "career politician" board members at ASCAP
who are so afraid of members discovering the truth that they hide their own
attendance records.

And let's end the "President for Life" designation of the ASCAP President
and give it a finite term, like 8 years. If it's good enough for the
President of the United States, it's good enough for the ASCAP President.

It's time for some new blood, new ideas, and new leaders who embrace the new
business models of the music business rather than fearing those new business
models and the people who would seek to reform ASCAP. Technology is not a
threat, it's a tool. The real question we should be asking all ASCAP Board
members is: are you willing to use that tool in a fair and evenhanded way to
level the playing field and benefit all members, not just those favored by
the old system?

Best,

Mark Northam

> Also, Hal David states, "In this technological age it
> is important that we establish supremacy in tracking
> our performances and licensing our works." I'm not
> sure if he means TV too. But, performance tracking is
> my number one issue, so I might add him to my vote.
> Thoughts?

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Mark Northam - Publisher
Film Music Magazine / Film Music Weekly
The Professional Voice of Music for Film & TV
http://www.filmmusicmag.com
Yahoo/Skype: marknortham  /  AIM: mnortham