The Recording Industry Association of America filed a last-minute comment to the FCC regarding the Sirius-XM merger. While they didn't take a position either for or against the merger, they sure did have an opinion of what the FCC should mandate should they approve it.
The RIAA argued that XM and Sirius "are no longer new, struggling companies" and should be paying their current rates, let alone "less-than-market compulsory rates after a merger."
If a merged company were allowed to pay "below market rates" then the merger essentially create an unfair advantage in the overall audio entertainment market, "putting at risk other competitors in that marketplace."
"On the other hand, the public interest would be advanced if the merged entity were required to pay fair value for the sound recordings it purchases," the RIAA wrote.
But the RIAA also wants to restrict the recording abilities of subscribers. If subscribers are able to record and save music they hear over the air, this would "effectively transforming a radio-like service into a digital distribution subscription service like Rhapsody or Napster."
The RIAA also argued that should a merged Sirius-XM continue developing recording devices, like the Pioneer Inno, it would "seriously threaten the viability of the music industry as a whole."
And nobody wants that.
What does "below market rates" Really mean in this case. Does that mean that they the RIAA is paying sirius and xm to air their programming since the radio stations do not pay anything and still wine about it?
Ahhhhhhhhhhh, shaddup!
What, no picture of the crying baby?
I wonder if the RIAA will cry as hard when the HD radio recorders come out.
"If subscribers are able to record and save music they hear over the air, this would effectively be 'transforming a radio-like service into a digital distribution subscription service like Rhapsody or Napster'."
hmmm...i think my inno's busted. i can't download and burn any music i store on my device.
"The RIAA also argued that should a merged Sirius-XM continue developing recording devices, like the Pioneer Inno, it would 'seriously threaten the viability of the music industry as a whole'."
humph...and i always thought that it was the RIAA that seriously threatened the viability of the music industry as a whole?!?!
Let me get this straight -
Mark (myself) works in a building that does not receive sat service.
Mark sets his inno to record hours of music and talk while he sleeps.
Mark listens to music/talk while at work as recorded content.
Mark cannot (in theory) get this music off of the inno.
Mark goes to BestBuy or iTunes to purchase music he hears.
Mark is somehow hurting the music industry.
???
Wait...Am I missing something? I STILL don't see how the ability to record on my device is making this a digital music service like Rhapsody or Napster or whatever...Okay, with a download service, I can pay for a subscription or pay per track, download the track, load it onto my portable media player, listen to it on my computer, or if I've paid for the track, burn it to CD.
Maybe the Inno is different, but with my MyFi, I can record five hours (though I often get nine or ten somehow) of programming...Then, I can listen to it on my Myfi...And on my Myfi...And, oh yeah, on my MyFi. The only way I know of to transfer that material to a computer, then to other portable players or CDs, is to use a patch cord to go from the MyFi to my computer, sit there and record it to the hard drive in real time, then go back and split the tracks manually. I work for a living and don't have that kind of time.
Using this logic, we should ban the cassette recorder, DVD recorder, CD burner, and DVR cable/satellite boxes. Again, the RIAA shows that they're a bunch of morons.
what a shame. I really hope they dont mess with the recordings. Thats the best function on the sat radio.
FUCKKKKK corporations.......i miss the hippy days when it was about the music and love man.
AHAHAHA! RIAA: 'We're making music, because we love to make music for the people...but don't listen to it at your own will...Make sure you keep your ears tuned to when you the radio's on, or buy a cd, or off iTunes. You'll crush us in not paying for all the one hit wonders by not spending a buck. And just forget about paying to see U2 for $150 a person or The Stones for $400 or so. And NO CAMERA PHONES!. We'll record our concerts for $25 dvds, then repackage old shows to get more money. Musicians will never survive this merger.'
HAHAHAHA!! Maybe we should start living in the day and age of the strong surviving in the music/entertainment industry. Ton's of small bands love the fact that people can get their greedy little hands on their music ANY WAY POSSIBLE. What a joke RIAA.
Just prooves how dumb the RIAA is. Shouldn't they be out suing 11 year old girls? If the radios in question had the ability to export the recordings as high quality files that were easily sharable among friends, then their argument may have a leg to stand on, but it doesn't, so fuck 'em all!
>>"Just prooves how dumb the RIAA is. Shouldn't they be out suing 11 year old girls? "
Don't worry. They're doing that too.
Fucking scumbags.
If I can't record a few songs on my Stilletto OR my Inno, I'll just load up on full discography's with nice album art to go with it from my favorite bittorrent site. ;-) ............ Have it your way RIAA........What a bunch of Dopes!!
Satellite radio has helped these ASSHOLES (payed) more than any other service and the RIAA STILL wants to RAPE us more ......... I Hope to GOD XM wins it's case and these Lawyers can go "F" themselves!! If I were a musician I would never sign with this organization.
As an inno owner, this stance by the RIAA disturbs me. I use my inno's recording feature to time shift many XM programs. I'm not ripping off anyone. Indeed, I have ended up actually buying the music I heard on XM.
RIAA....What a bunch of donkeys!
I wonder if it's ever occurred to anyone that if the music outlets (t radio, sat radio, music venues, online streamers) ever banded together and agreed to only play non RIAA affiliated music then that would provide a much needed bitch slap to the RIAA. I mean let's face it, the radio stations and online streamers all complain about the high fees. Stop playing their music. I find it hard to believe that every single artist is actually considered part of this mafia group and there's got to be a horde of indie bands out there all to happy to step up and fill the void.
I'm not saying that musicians aren't due their royalty payments, they have bills too. But if the group representing you is actively working to alienate and crush your listeners, maybe you want to distance yourself from them.
for the next week i will be burning cd's of pirated music and handing them out on street corners for free.
Speaking officially on behalf of the American Association of Oxygen Breathers, the AAOB believes it would be in the consumer's best interest if the RIAA would be disbanded due to ant-trust concerns. Otherwise, the AAOB would support the old, wholesome American tar & feather session with the RIAA lawyers and policy makers.
In other news, the AAOB has still not taken an official stand on the XM/Sirius merger. We reserve the right to do so, and hope this delay does not impact the process at the FCC.
>>"I wonder if it's ever occurred to anyone that if the music outlets (t radio, sat radio, music venues, online streamers) ever banded together and agreed to only play non RIAA affiliated music then that would provide a much needed bitch slap to the RIAA"
Nice idea, but it will never happen, unfortunately. People are too greedy and stupid.
:(