Licensing your blog
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There are a few threads on elbo.ws about this topic, though most of them are about how to react to a licensing request. What I'd like to know is how to go about volunteering to sign up for these licenses. In a nutshell, Indie Shuffle is about to launch a new feature that allows it to function much like Pandora. I'm pretty sure this is going to set us up for some major scrutiny from publishers/labels/licensers. From the research I've done, it looks like one might need to register with BMI, ASCAP and soundexchange.
I'm hoping some of you might have looked into the process. I think I'm open to spending up to $5k a year in order to avoid getting shut down. -
If you're open to spending $5k a year, you must have a lot more spreadin' around money than I do.
The problem is, even if you register with those 3, there are a host of other organizations that can still come stomping down on you. Harry Fox, for instance.
The other issue is that there really isn't any licensing specifically available to blogs. You should probably look into one of the other threads where Adam Beggars contributed, he went in depth into this issue several times. -
mmm the 5k would be portion of the site's revenue. I'll try look around for the posts you mentioned. This is looking stickier and stickier by the moment. I might jut see if MTV or some larger company will be willing to form a partnership that covers this :-D
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Yeah, for companies like Lala and Spotify - the hardest thing is to get licensing deals with all those agencies, and they geotard themselves to limit liability in other countries. The tech to stream is relatively simple compared with the licensing issues.
Whilst I agree it would be great if a single service existed in theory, if one did they would likely also take a cut before distributing t national societies, with even less getting to the musicians. Maybe I'm just cynical on this I suppose. -
In the meanwhile, if you guys want to check the new playlist function in action, just head over to Indie Shuffle and hit play on any MP3.
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Jason, very slick, though I'm not sure that's going to get you in any 'extra' trouble from the RIAA or anyone else. It's just another way to play all the mp3s on your site. A very cool way, admittedly, but it doesn't necessarily strike me as something that would raise red flags. Unless the majority of those mp3s aren't cleared, but that can get you into trouble either way.
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I just want $5k to be a portion of my sites revenue...maybe I could use it as a front to sell meth...then I might have a chance. ;-)
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IYS is currently developing a similar feature to what I believe you're talking about. That said, I'm about 90% sure that we're going to go with "cleared" tracks only at first. If what happened to pandora about six months back is any indication, there may be some serious fees associated with allowing streams of non-cleared tracks/albums.
A quick search netted the following link, which if memory serves correctly, is something you'll need to take account of if you're planning on broadcasting:
http://www.broadcastlawblog.com/2007/03/articles/internet-radio/copyright-royalty-board-releases-decision-rates-are-going-up-significantly/
and the organization which enforces these rates:
http://soundexchange.com/ -
loving the new player at the bottom!
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Thanks, mate! Personally am most stoked about the playlist that pops up when you hit play :-D.
Update to this post: I registered as an LLC so as to avoid liability if someone does come after me. Honestly, though, 95%+ of what we put up is released by the artist as a single, or provided to us directly -- not counting all the remixes we have. Basically the game plan is to keep on chugging along until someone has any concerns -- then we'll chat.
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