Microsoft, RealNetworks and Yahoo! Sued
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Microsoft, Yahoo!, RealNetworks, Music, Lawsuit | Themes: The Internet
Microsoft, Yahoo and RealNetworks are facing legal actions from small music companies who claim they are making certain songs available to users of their respective music streaming services without first getting permission.
According to the Seattle Times, MCS Music America, Conexion Media Group, Cram Renraff, Songs In Black Ink, Hello Darlin' Music, Forest Farm Music, From D's Pen, Happy Sack Music, Joe Hill Music, Rhinestone Cowboy Music, Appalsongs and Appalseed Productions, and Seven Centers Publishing are suing the three tech companies and seeking $150,000 for each copyright infringement in relation to songs by artists like Aretha Franklin and the Carpenters.
Several publications report that all three companies refused to comment or failed to return phone calls requesting comment, which suggests that the record companies actually have a leg to stand on. That said, they could just be hiding under their desks until their legal teams are finished trawling through the 108-page complaint, which ST reports was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Tennessee.
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The music companies are sinking and are trying anything to stay afloat. The only ones that will survive are those that have the foresight to change their business model.
Are these private radio stations streamed through these services/protocols or are they actually hosted by the companies in question. There are streaming license fees applicable to this kind of model that are accepted by industry standards. I don't understand why they couldn't make one phone call and work out some sort of deal.
Drat... I was hoping the RIAA just got stupid and overstepped their bounds. After all, do you really think you can be a non-governmental agency and afford better lawyers than Microsoft? After all, a lot of times it is not whether the facts are on your side - it is more like the Cold War: Can you outspend your opponent and force them into financial collapse or an out-of-court settlement.
As to the music industry dying - probably. However, what were they suppose to change their business model to? A free product that is ad supported? Donation based like Wikipedia? No model, just make stuff and give it away free? Go through tightly controlled iTunes store, or pay huge licensing fees to Apple because they undoubtedly hold several key patents to creating and running an online music store?
it is more like the Cold War: Can you outspend your opponent and force them into financial collapse or an out-of-court settlement.
so true... so true...
streaming radio should be free just like antenna radio is.these companies should be glad they are on the "AIR" cause if they were not then no one would ever know them or buy their music.
more loser lawsuits to make up for the loss of income.
Son of a crap.
I knew it that Microsoft is the biggest pirate of them all!
The who?
The carpentars, who are they?
Whatever happened to making music and art to express yourself and out of passion? I love to express yself in assorted ways, but if I get paid a cent, I'd be happy.
Second Hand Lands. A great indy game. Dev has spent arond $250k into the game and knows he will never profit from it or even remotely cover cost, yet he still works on it...
I knew it that Microsoft is the biggest pirate of them all!
Microsoft historically has been the god of pirates. Maybe it's so easy to pirate Windows and associated programs because they just want to share the love to those willing?
Isn't there a known procedure that gets the FULL rights to sell songs? Or does iTunes get tripped up occasionally too?
Not that I plan on starting a business that needs to know the procesdure, but you never know...