It's great to see the response from readers about how ridiculous The Perform Act is. It's funny how the RIAA is so willing to push legislation against an industry that provides so much potential and opportunity to actually sell music.
Satellite radio not only plays music, but plays music that otherwise would get little-to-no airtime. Back catalog tracks are finally getting the exposure they deserve, and in essence increasing general awareness of all genres of music. Broadening listener's awareness of music, means a stronger "long tail" for album sales. So why would they try to sabotage that? For short-term profits? C'mon.
Terrestrial radio shouldn't be sitting around giggling about this either. If enacted, The Perform Act could very well extend into other digital radio formats, like HD Radio.
But let's ignore the business aspects of all this. It's the listener, the consumer, who really gets the short end of the stick here. For those who want to know how this will affect them personally, here's a quick rundown of what The Perform Act wants to limit:
- Satellite Radio content would be limited to real-time recordings - no scheduling - only programs or blocks of time.
- You would not be allowed to record only music from specific artists, albums or genres.
- The devices could not selectively playback (or even change the order of) individual songs from the recordings made off the air.
Limiting innovation and progress is not a way to sell CDs. That's just not good business.
Both XM and SIRIUS have, or will have, the ability to purchase songs you hear with a simple click while listening. That's something that actually helps sell music for these companies. But instead they choose to take a proactive lobbying approach, because of the fear that innovation will overtake their business.
So what can we do?
We need to mobilize and let your members of congress know that you oppose The Perform Act, S. 2644. And here's an easy way to do it. Visit the Home Recording Rights Colation, and voice your opinion. It's easy and really doesn't take too much time.
And to help everyone along, please share what you wrote so that others can use it as inspiration for their own emails.
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