- I have to admit, I've never seen a single episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show (and to be honest, I always thought it was called Ellen). That is not because I think I am above daytime TV. It's simply because Ellen doesn't have any paternity tests or lie detector tests. However, I am aware that Ellen does some dancing during every show, and the songs she chooses are broadcast to millions of viewers all over the world. The problem is, the show never got a license for playing said songs, and now a group of record labels are suing the show. According to the team behind Ellen, they have been trying to reach a deal with the labels. OK, they should have gotten a license, but is this the best way to handle it? The music industry needs a PR makeover, not more heavy handed tactics, like suing an incredibly popular TV show that delivers a lot of promotion for free. People love Ellen, and right or wrong, this will play to a lot of people like greedy record labels suing her personally. There has to be a better way.
- Speaking of licenses, royalties, etc - the RIAA and music publishing companies announced that they to continue to negotiate a plan for paying out around $300 million in unpaid royalties in major label unmatched or pending accounts. This is essentially money that has never been paid out because of incorrect information or clerical errors. There are also late fees in play. Now, see, it seems to me like working out this system of getting money earned into the hands of the musicians who earned it should come before running around and suing people to collect more money that may or may not actually ever make it the artist. What do you think?
- From Twitter's finest music news source, Artist House, I heard about this news: Last FM is taking over four HD radio stations. Eh...what? Why? I hope the eight people who listen to those stations become dedicated Last FM fans, I guess? Am I completely wrong? Is there a huge HD radio fanbase out there I don't know about?
- Interesting article - from another Artist House heads up - Is Webcasting Concerts a Viable Business?
- Rob Miller of Bloodshot Records took to KnowTheMusicBiz.com this week to give us this offering: Music as Dumpster Pizza. Great read!
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