[Fmpro] ASCAP and Technology

[Fernando Rivas]

Well put, Mark. Along with fear of the new technologies there is also a lack
of understanding about what can be achieved with them.  As usual stupidity
errs on the side of greed.

FR


On 2/18/07 3:58 AM, "Mark Northam" <mark at gmdgroup.com> wrote:

> 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?
> 
> ---------------------------------
> 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
> 
> 
> 
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