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Google music - does it spell the end of copyright agencies?

a couple of years ago I put to a global informal group of music industry enthusiasts and experts the notion of a global central registry, similar to a 'global barcode' concept, e.g. every piece of music has a single unique identifier which ties in a registry to the music ownership details and is used by all systems worldwide, and can be used sans intermediaries...... It was dismissed as pie in the sky utopia.

I envisaged a Consumer service copyright model:

A basic process by roles is described for illustrative purposes below. It includes examples of entities currently in operation that perform the same or similar roles.

A Musician (or music entity)
• registers payment details (ie Paypal account) with Payment agency;
• registers music to obtain unique identifier (?) with Registry; and
• release music into various places in the music pool (anywhere music is available online, for example, P2P, online stores, social networks, compact discs which later become online).

A Consumer
• nominates play measurement entity of their choice (this could be a service that streams or play monitor software);
• registers;
• regular utility payment (perhaps via ISP bills or streaming service). Note consumer payments are fixed, not variable upon usage (don't want to turn consumers off listening to music); and
• plays music and details of what is played how often are recorded by play measurement entity.

An ISP or streaming service
• Upon notice from consumer registers them to the play measurement entity to track for central pool; and
• bills consumer and processes 'royalty' funds into the central $ pool.

A Registry
(example: Musicbrainz, Gracenote - GOOGLE?)
• receives song details from musicians and allocates unique identifier; and
• is linked to play measurement entity;

A Play measurement entity
(example: Last.fm, consumer streaming stations such as Pandora, Rhapsody, social.fm, anywhere.fm. These track plays by consumers across all digital music devices)
• records and aggregates songs played by consumer.

A Play measurement aggregator
• periodic aggregation of play measurements; and
• apportion play percentages.

A Payment agency
(example: non-existent although if market issues are addressed (monopoly issues) this is technically possible. Traditionally this is performed by copyright agencies (APRA) and publishers. Existing entities serving similar functions are Paypal and the global Creative Commons)
• Receives play percentage data from play measurement aggregator;
• Receives funds from ISPs/Streaming services; and
• Processes payments to musician.

The process map above highlights that the inclusion of the ISP/streaming service is questionable. It's convenient to add a utility amount onto a utility bill, but perhaps it could be sidestepped and consumers deal directly with a payment agency. Similarly the play measurement aggregator and payment agency could be one entity. Market monopoly concerns may also prevent these two options.

Privacy concerns are minimised because it is voluntary, consumers can opt in. There are sampling concerns, for example only a particular demographic may opt in, and measuring by plays may negatively impact longer songs, but plays measurement could be by time duration rather than number of songs. A significant impediment to this approach is structural, it minimises the need for traditional publishing and copyright agencies because it removes the need for sampling focuses on the end consumer rather than a plethora or devices and platforms. It removes the need of traditional copyright agencies to undertake samples. This currently happens on a country by country basis. This approach could be scaled globally, and it recognises that the online music market is global. There may be country specific regulatory impediments, however Creative Commons has been successful at resolving many of these. Apart from structural issues and roadblocks, a major impediment is consumers. In this process it is the consumer who performs most actions. It is questionable whether consumers would opt into such as system and volunteer payments and play measurement. However the explosive growth of play measurement services shows privacy is not an issue. For example, according to Quantcast.com, Last.fm site hits grew 35% in the United States during February 2008. Last.fm commenced in London and Europe is it’s strongest region. If the alternative is P2P legal action they may be swayed.

Now I may well be putting gold into the horse before the cart, but Google music may be the start of such a thing. But then again, it may not be. But seeing as Google is global, instant and direct, if anyone can do it, perhaps Google might. Initially perhaps not, but further down the track.... perhaps? Structural change unfortunately takes time.

High on arrival

Hmmmm just finished this book in one sitting. 'Enjoyed' isn't a word to describe it, but I couldn't stop reading it, with my mouth slightly agape throughout. The cynic in me squeaks that she probably wrote it to demonstrate attrition to keep out of jail. The sensible part of me ponders the impact of hedonism combined with $$$$. I found myself at the end of reading it looking closely at her arms on the jacket photos, and noting her clean white teeth, and wanting to watch American Graffitti.

freemium train gathering momentum

Announcement from Billy Corgan about the new Smashing Pumpkins album

September 16, 2009 @ http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/pages/news/announcement-from-billy-corgan-about-new-smashing-pumpkins-album

I'm happy to finally announce the plans for the new Smashing Pumpkins album.

Recording began yesterday, September 15th, 2009 on the new record which will be entitled 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope'. The album will feature 44 songs, 4 of which are now being recorded. My desire is to release a song at a time beginning around Halloween of this year, with each new release coming shortly after until all 44 are out. Each song will be made available absolutely for free, to anyone anywhere. There will be no strings attached. Free will mean free, which means you won't have to sign up for anything, give an email address, or jump through a hoop. You will be able to go and take the song or songs as you wish, as many times as you wish.

We will however sell highly limited edition EP's (of 4 songs each times 11), and details of how those EP's will be made available are still being worked out. Because the songs themselves will be free, the EP's will be more like collectors items for the discerning fan who will want the art itself, along with the highest possible audio quality available. The EP's will be more like mini-box sets rather than your normal cd single. We may also offer other variations for sale, say for example a digital single with a demo version of a song. The commitment that is most important is the one I'm making to you: that the music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' will be available for free to everyone. All 44 songs: free for ALL.

When the entire album is finished, it will be compiled into a deluxe box set which will also be made available for sale. Those who have bought the EP's need not worry, as the box set will not be a recompilation of the limited edition pieces.

The story of the album is based on 'The Fool's Journey', as signified in the progress of the Tarot. It is my intention to approach this by breaking down the journey of our life here into four phases as made by these different characters; the Child, the Fool, the Skeptic, and the Mystic.

The music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' harkens back to the original psychedelic roots of The Smashing Pumpkins: atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty.

I already have 53 songs written for the record, so I am quite confident that I already have much of the material that I would need to undertake such an extensive project. I am very committed to seeing this album through to its completion and very, very excited about the prospect of delivering new Smashing Pumpkins music to you in a unique and exciting way.


This is the official website of The Smashing Pumpkins. © 2008 The Smashing Pumpkins.

50 things killed by the internet

I don't agree with no's 49, 47, 42 .... I fight against 50.... definitely agree with 35.... intrigued by 18...... lament 14, 3 and 5, fear 13......

50 things killed by the internet

Freak me out - Spector and Manson together

Yep Spector and Manson are in the same jail, and Manson, a big Spector fan, has asked Spector to collaborate on some songs. More here . Maybe Manson is thinking he finally has Spector where he wants him. And what are the consequences if Spector, a new inmate, turns down Manson, a long time inmate who probably has established his position in the power ladder of jail?

RIP Michael Jackson

May he now quietly rest in peace, amongst the dirt and worms of this earth.

..................

but more probably there will be a whacko mass public funeral pyre or something and even his death will be turned into a circus for everyone's entertainment and participation and moneyturning.

Here's something anyone in the music business should watch and think very carefully about. A boy genius, his moves and voice, singing, at 14 years, a song titled "Sugar Daddy"

It includes the lyrics: "I'll be your Sugar Daddy, give you honey and all my money" and ''he's driving me nuts'' at 1.25 (look at his face between 1.20-1.30) and at another point his brother sings ''you just play on my emotions with please please please'' Michael follows ''everyone's got the notion I'm your goodwill industry'':

quote of the day

The people who make money by moving money are what's causing this recession.

I am loving TubeTV

TubeTV allows you to save Youtubes to your mobile device via iTunes. Very fancy, very easy. I'm loving it! Quite addictive.

And it makes me realise, audio so often innovates first, then once a market is established and proven, it is less risky to invest in adding video into the equation. So it makes me ponder when we'll see a Last.FM for clips and movies.... That is, unless there already is one out there that is gaining traction. And I'm sure Last.FM are onto it too.

Kingslake May09

life returns after the bushfire