[Fmpro] FMPRO Digest, Vol 26, Issue 4

[Mark Northam]

I think this really speaks to a bigger issue... ASCAP has cleverly, over
time, sold us on the idea that we are "lucky" to be getting royalties in the
first place, and that since we're so "lucky" that there is a performing
rights royalty system and those of us who receive royalties are so fortunate
to, we should be grateful, accept the money with great thanks, and thank our
lucky stars we're getting this money.

But most important of all, we're expected not to look "ungrateful" by asking
questions, expecting disclosure of their fees on our statements, expecting
open and honest elections, expecting transparency, accountability, from
them, etc... To do so would be like looking a gift horse in the mouth! How
dare we! 

You've really got to hand it to the management and Board at ASCAP... They've
managed to utterly avoid accountability for what they do by convincing many
of their clients (who pay the bills, of course) that they're lucky to be
able to do this (pay ASCAP for their services), and that they should just
pay ASCAP and be grateful for whatever services ASCAP decides to offer. No
accountability, no transparency, j
ust be grateful, don't ask questions, certainly don't criticize, and keep
drinking the Kool-Aid.

Mark Northam

On 6/4/07 6:45 AM, "flight007 at aol.com" <flight007 at aol.com> wrote:

> Dear Pete,
> Your attitude of 'Do I really care' is exactly why ASCAP has been
> allowed to get away with its accounting methods. You seem to be able to
> find an excuse for anything ASCAP does. Is your mission to pacify the
> masses?  Maybe arrangements have been made that help convince you all
> is sunshine and light as ASCAP.  With the business methods you condone,
> no one would ever know, would they?
> Vic F