I read yesterday on Twitter that ASCAP is thinking about going after bloggers who embed videos in their posts. So guess what I’m gonna stop doing? Yep.
I know that’s not really feel-goody of me. But I guess since I wasn’t a regular with the “post a video of a happy song on Friday” thing that I won’t be missed. But I did want to let other bloggers know that there might be a danger in the continued practice.
I think ASCAP is in the right, but wrong in exercising that right. The majority of songs in those videos are still under copywrite. I’m touchy about copywrite, because it’s the only thing protecting my only personal asset. I’m a writer and without copywrite I’ve no hope of earning a living through my words.
But those videos are also publicity. There have been at least three occasions since the inception of Feel Good Friday where I’ve been reminded just how much I love that particular song. I’ve gone straight to my iTunes and BOUGHT the thing. I know this piece of anecdata* probably means very little to ASCAP, but I have to throw it out there. They’ve made more money from me by having the videos freely available than they would have otherwise.
*this is my new favourite word, and you’re bound to see it alot. I came across it at TCP when another commenter (tanglethis?) used it. And since it describes so well that which is in overabundance on the web I have to keep it and love it and take it out to look at how perfect it is.
Mighta been a BMI song, you know.
[...] Three Minute Commercials for your Music Posted on July 10, 2009 by Aunt B. Coble talks about the stunning ASCAP proposal to go after bloggers who embed YouTube videos containing ASCAP songs in their [...]
Dang. We’re going to need lawyers to advise us on every post.
[probably breaks another copyright by channelling Rosanne Rosannadanna] If it’s not one thing then it’s another.
Anecdata deserves inclusion into the dictionary just as frenemy and staycation have.
They aren’t going after bloggers, they are going after YouTube.
Intellectual Property needs to be preserved. Without the songwriter, there is no music or music business.
They aren’t paid upfront.(If they write for a publisher, they are advanced money, which the songwriter has to pay back once a song is cut) The only way they are paid is airplay and sales and I think they deserved to be paid. Authors of books, too. Shouldn’t they be paid?
Intellectual property deserves the same payment as any other job. ASCAP needs to work something out with YouTube, but they won’t be going after bloggers.
This “new media” is exactly that, new, and ASCAP and BMI and publishers and so on are wading their way through this, and in the end, it will all work out for everyone, but right now everyone is on their sea legs.
Slart–
A miracle! It cooled off to the 70s, so I will be seeing you tonight! Um…how will I recognize you? I look like an overweight Cher without the plastic surgery–so look for me.