the times are a-changin’ i guess
sony/atv publishing has forbidden their agent from licensing their catalog for streaming music or limited downloads. basically, the digital arena is saying that an streaming or interactive stream is not the same as a recorded piece of music, or as its qualified in the legal terms a “digital phonorecord delivery” as i understand it, the Digital Media is saying we’re not delivering a finished product so it doesnt need to be licensed. this would mean that they would only need a performance license. basically, unless im mistaken, it would mean that streaming audio would have the same properties as radio.
i dont necessarily see anything wrong with this. streaming mp3s, technically they arent really delivering a product. limited downloads, i mean, are they talking about free downloads? the only thing i wonder about is how this affects the songwriter, especially if the writer isnt the performer.
i wonder if there is a trend towards buyouts these days since record companies are flailing? then the record company would retain publishing rights.