The Copyright Royalty Board was given the authority by Congress to set the rates that streaming companies have to pay to play music. There are lots of “not very visible” ties between radio and the music business. In order to stick it to SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify, etc, Radio wants those rates as high as possible, while cutting their own much lower direct deals with the music copyright holders, ignoring the statutory rates.
A judge just ruled that the CRB can look at those rates the music labels agreed to when trying to determine a fair “free market” price in the regulated licensing. This means it is highly likely, the cost of music for non-radio music streamers is about to drop. Keep in mind that BMI (Broadcast Mecia Incorporated) was created by the radio companies.
What is a fair price for showing Picasso and other artworks online? Why is it higher for music? …and why doe the rich performers get the bulk of the streaming fees while the poor struggling performers get almost none? They are Democrats when it comes to your money, but not to when it comes to their own. lol
If I own a Picasso, does that give me the right to destroy it?