I'm pretty sure we've provided a rational open-minded round up of the issues surrounding web radio licensing here in the CMU Daily in the past - well, I seem to remember ranting about it one time. Anyway, as I'm sure you all know, the ins and outs of how record labels, publishers, artists, song writers and their collective collection societies deal with radio stations broadcasting online are by no means clear cut - especially when said radio stations broadcast exclusively online and especially especially when those radio services are available on demand. Both PPL for the record labels and artists, and MCPS/PRS for the publishers and songwriters, have made moves in this domain, but I get the impression content owners and webcasters alike still have a number of unresolved issues on all things web licensing - issues which hardly help the growth of the web radio sector, especially the independent web radio sector where smaller players can't afford to risk future crippling royalty bills.
With all this in mind, the previously mentioned and recently formed Association Of Streaming Media Companies will stage a copyright discussion forum in London on 28 Sep, offering both content owners and streaming media types the opportunity to discuss their respective issues and, perhaps, identify ways both sides could move forward together.
As a starting point, collecting bodies PPL and MCPS/PRS will provide a summary of the new licences they have already developed in this area, while digital media companies PlayLouder MSP, Last FM and Totally Radio will speak about how current licensing models affect their businesses and what forms of licensing they are advocating for the future. Media law firm K&LNG, meanwhile, will provide an independent assessment of the current structures and predicaments facing the licensing of content over the internet. There will then be an opportunity for open debate among anyone in attendance at the event.
Regarding what the event aims to achieve, ASMeC told CMU: "We want it to be a fact finding exercise for companies and individuals wanting to know about online licensing structures, as well as something that creates a dialogue from which streaming media companies can outline their concerns and ideas for progressing the licensing debate forward".
The event will take place at the Last FM offices near Old Street, London on 28 Sep at 4pm. Anyone wishing to attend should contact [email protected]. We'll have further updates about the event in due course - hey, I might even rant about it all at some point. Can't wait.