[Fmpro] ASCAP currency

[Mark Northam]

On 5/28/08 12:25 AM, "Kevin Mathie" <kevinmathie at comcast.net> wrote:

> It's an interesting question, I think. If money isn't ASCAP board's
> currency. What is?

Actually I think money *is* the board's currency - money for songs, that is.
We're talking about a historically prejudiced system that has diverted tons
of money to songs through various schemes over the years, with the
"automatic feature performance for all songs within TV shows" policy only
being the latest incarnation. To me, it's a simple issue - the
songwriter-dominated board doesn't want to give up that money, period.

Since at ASCAP the distribution system is a zero-sum game, reforming
composer rates would likely mean a reduction of songwriter royalties, and
those good ole boys just aren't going to let that happen. Sadly, our
composer board members lack the courage and commitment to do what it takes
to get any serious reform passed, so the prejudice continues. ASCAP pays off
organizations like the SCL to keep them taking on these issues in any
serious way (wouldn't want to offend a "sponsor"), so it's left to
independents to make any real progress in this area. And of course, who did
the ASCAP Board systematically eliminate from having any practical chance at
getting on the ballots for their elections? Independent candidates, of
course.

The sheer arrogance of that act is breathtaking, and vividly demonstrates
the kind of action we can expect from these people - save their own butts
and provide for themselves any cost instead of focusing on cue sheet fraud,
prejudicial policies aimed at composers, and other issues of real
significance.

It's a system begging for intervention by the government or the courts.

Mark Northam

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