Yes, I think it’s a great idea that good quality work should be financially rewarded and if there’s a tool that makes the job of making money easier, let’s use it. I’m all for this idea of Roy’s, albeit a lot of development work would be required.

However, application and dedication, attention to detail, effective self-exposure etc

I don’t have anything to add to the topic on a technical level but I wanted to address Dencity and his last post: Do you know any musician who’s in it for the money? I don’t, and as someone who’s been fighting tooth and nail to keep pursuing music, just to upkeep a piano, get rehearsal space, pay for whatever costs me (See, I’m in it to lose money) I think there are easier ways to make money than with music, and that I would’ve been discouraged from playing music a long time ago if I weren’t in it for the music. I play music because I can’t *not* play music. Come to think of it, this in itself is vanity, so I’m doomed anyway.

Vanity or not, I also think musicians should get paid for their work in the same way doctors are paid for theirs–we’ve put in the time to learn our craft, too, and our lessons aren’t free, either. For me, wanting to get paid for the music I create is out of need to keep a roof over my head. Sure, I’ll sing for free like I sang for free this past Monday night at a downtown club where tons of unknown singers sing for “exposure”, but I’m not going to say no to a paying gig because I’m happy doing free ones, thank you.

But I can see the problem of charging people to hear a song turning them away. Free music online is good promo: I agree. After all, people like to get stuff for free. I pay for CDs because I want to, because I know how much work goes into the making of a CD, indie or otherwise. Anyway, we could just give snippets instead of whole songs but people are usually moved when they hear a song in its entirety. I don’t even like when radio shows clip (butcher) the ends of songs. My point is Music has value and a place and function in the world and I would hate to see it devalued.

As for big bro, like we’re not being watched anyway. Every time I buy something online, I’m sure they keep a log of where I visit and what I buy. Thanks for reading.

Sali Oguri

I totally agree with you Shanebaker. Music heard is music heard. Musicians tend to forget that a fan is the best form of marketing. They talk about you, bring you to parties, bring you to work, play you in the car, and sometimes even play you when there in the mood. A fan is the best marketing tool a musician can have. Why not give them a free sample. I understand that it cost a lot of money to make a cd. The recording, engineer, mix down, mastering, art, cd duplication. Trust me, I remember. Some of my best friends are people that trade music. Large amounts of music! But these are also the people that follow the same bands on tour in the states as well as in Europe. They check the website every day. They buy all the dvds and cds because they love the band. They help handout fliers. I can honestly say that I have listen, seen, and even bought cds and other merch from some of these new favorite bands because of this friend. But I need to hear it before I buy it. We all want to make money, but if money is the only reason you keep creating music, why continue?

Some of the most successful artists have given their music away to promote their bands. The top touring bands ever have allowed taping at their shows for free distribution. There are many, many bands who are way more successful than us here on Broadjam who allow free downloads of performances at Archive.org. My point is the same people who steal the music will probably be some of the same people who buy your CDs, go to your shows, and buy your T-shirts…. if they like it. If they really like it they’ll jam it in their car with their buddies or play it at parties. You just got some major free promo! When they grow up, they’ll go back and buy your stuff. The point is that if nobody has ever even heard you before then they’re definitely NOT going to buy your CD. Have you ever picked up a random CD at the record store and purchased it? Maybe once or twice (while drunk) and that’s about it.

All in all, I’m not concerned on this issue and I don’t think you can do much, but give it the old saleman’s spin like I did above. If you develop a technology to prevent music theft, then the music theives will just develop another technology… its an endless cycle in my opinion.

Thanks for the feedback. Here are a couple of points. The monitoring could happen at the ISP and not at the household. Therefore, big brother is out of the picture.

Ed mentioned the need to register all versions of the songs. He’s absolutely right. There would need to be a master database of all recordings to differentiate between his and Willies version of the same song. Obviously, the database would grow and eventually most of the known recordings would be in the system. For reference: Every 4 minutes a song is uploaded to Broadjam. The songs on our site are then backed up and served from approximately 100 locations worldwide. Imagine the size and number of storage devices that would be needed for an operation like we’re discussing to actually work.

Technically, the idea could be tested and proven in a few months, maybe a few weeks. Politically, the idea would have to become law for it to happen.

Nothing would really change regarding licensing of known songs. The only thing that would change is lesser-known songs would actually generate revenue.

One other note: I was referring to the comparison algorithms that Mediaguide and other companies use to track airplay at radio. These have been around for years without a real purpose until recently.

Roy

Not sure about the waveform comparison algorithms you are referring to, but what about cover versions and multiple mixes–each would have to be registered. You would need a machanism (similar to copyright) to determine who owns the songs, cause my versions of Willie Nelson’s tunes would have a different waveform, and besides as long as I pay mechanical rights I can record them anyway.

THe idea isn’t bad, but there are a LOT of details that aren’t addressed in this blog.

I think Dencity’s point was missed completely. I tend to agree and the way I see it is if you let “big bro” in to check on the song downloads on your computer do you really think we can trust him to ONLY look at that? I don’t. You’re absolutely right-it’s the difference between right and wrong

PS. Of course musicians should be paid for their hard work, who said otherwise???????

So do you lock your doors? Or if someone needs to use your car, do you leave it unlocked? Wonder how the insurance company would like it. Isn’t that what a copyright is all about? They need your permission. Money? Well most of us are not making buckets…so the wee bit we get helps pay all that studio time and CD production and oh yea, the government insurance called copyright that is not free either! Oh, let’s not forget BMI and ASCAP…yet they help us out for free! How about your Broadjam acct- or are you independently wealthy, right? Well Mr. Roy, you brought up some excellent points. We remember how many suits you own, Dallas -haha. Those who download illegal software or PORN don’t want to be FOUND OUT either (is their conscience bothering them, or what?), besides they didn’t create it did they. So what have they to loose, except their thievery availability. I don’t mean to sound too self-righteous, but we work hard at our Music and we like to eat and go to events etc. So, in a nutshell, it’s not the pennies, it is the difference in right and wrong. Just don’t take my car without asking!!!!

I think the idea in it’s perfect form is a GREAT idea. Getting bills from ISP would benefit Artist/labels/publishers/ISP’s/and far more that I’m not going to write. There is that one big problem that no one will like (or shouldn’t like). Big Brother! No matter how it’s done Big Bro will always be peaking down our pipelines and identifying illegal software, all my PORN, and any/all documents that leave my home. That damn Patriot Act would be in full force and I think too many “good” people would be affected by it. That’s all we need is another reason to imprison our youth. If we could think of a way around that whole issue I would be all for it. It would be the perfect thing for Artist.

I also know there would be other ways around it. Sending information in an Asynchronous fashion would work. Although it would take more time than one would want to put into it and for most common thieves one more step is too much work.

I feel that the bandwidth billing will slow down that issue but, like you said earlier, nothing will/can stop it.

Artist should be happy to have songs being traded. Music heard is music heard. A fan is a fan and it’s all about getting your name out and hopefully relating to someone else. People put too much thought into making money.