spannerdude
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Today, for what is likely to be the last time I am enjoying Pandora.
Now calm down boys, it's not what it sounds like. :nono:
If you are familiar with Pandora then you will no doubt have had the same email as me and be aware what this post is about. If you aren't familiar with Pandora then let me fill you in.
Pandora is streaming radio from the Music Genome Project. You create your own radio station by entering the name of a band that you like, they have a database of music styles and select tracks at random which share the same characteristics as your first choice. Leading you to a vast catalogue of music which is to your taste, that you may never have found through mainstream channels. It is pure genius.
Unfortunately not everyone appreciates it and last week I recieved an email, of which I've posted an excerpt below:
----------------------
hi, it's Tim,
This is an email I hoped I would never have to send.
As you probably know, in July of 2007 we had to block usage of Pandora outside the U.S. because of the lack of a viable license structure for Internet radio streaming in other countries. It was a terrible day. We did however hold out some hope that a solution might exist for the UK, so we left it unblocked as we worked diligently with the rights organizations to negotiate an economically workable license fee. After over a year of trying, this has proved impossible. Both the PPL (which represents the record labels) and the MCPS/PRS Alliance (which represents music publishers) have demanded per track performance minima rates which are far too high to allow ad supported radio to operate and so, hugely disappointing and depressing to us as it is, we have to block the last territory outside of the US.
We have been told to sign these totally unworkable license rates or switch off, non-negotiable...so that is what we are doing. Streaming illegally is just not in our DNA, and we have to take the threats of legal action seriously. Lest you think this is solely an international problem, you should know that we are also fighting for our survival here in the US, in the face of a crushing increase in web radio royalty rates, which if left unchanged, would mean the end of Pandora.
---------------
The really stupid thing is that the ONLY music CD's I've bought in the last couple of years have been bands that I've either discovered or re-discovered through Pandora.
But I suppose that while the music execs can make a mint by manufacturing 5 minute wonder pseudo celebrities, milking them for a year or two then tipping them back into the gutter without ever having to support their long term interests, why would they care if they can sell music from long past artists with real talent?
I doubt there is much that can be achieved by it but if you are a fan of Pandora or just disappointed to have found out about it too late to enjoy their service, there is a petition calling for backing of these streaming radio services. Any weight that it can lend to the argument to stop fat cat music execs strangling this industry in it's infancy can only be a good thing.
If you feel like lending your voice please have a look:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveNetRadioUK
Now calm down boys, it's not what it sounds like. :nono:
If you are familiar with Pandora then you will no doubt have had the same email as me and be aware what this post is about. If you aren't familiar with Pandora then let me fill you in.
Pandora is streaming radio from the Music Genome Project. You create your own radio station by entering the name of a band that you like, they have a database of music styles and select tracks at random which share the same characteristics as your first choice. Leading you to a vast catalogue of music which is to your taste, that you may never have found through mainstream channels. It is pure genius.
Unfortunately not everyone appreciates it and last week I recieved an email, of which I've posted an excerpt below:
----------------------
hi, it's Tim,
This is an email I hoped I would never have to send.
As you probably know, in July of 2007 we had to block usage of Pandora outside the U.S. because of the lack of a viable license structure for Internet radio streaming in other countries. It was a terrible day. We did however hold out some hope that a solution might exist for the UK, so we left it unblocked as we worked diligently with the rights organizations to negotiate an economically workable license fee. After over a year of trying, this has proved impossible. Both the PPL (which represents the record labels) and the MCPS/PRS Alliance (which represents music publishers) have demanded per track performance minima rates which are far too high to allow ad supported radio to operate and so, hugely disappointing and depressing to us as it is, we have to block the last territory outside of the US.
We have been told to sign these totally unworkable license rates or switch off, non-negotiable...so that is what we are doing. Streaming illegally is just not in our DNA, and we have to take the threats of legal action seriously. Lest you think this is solely an international problem, you should know that we are also fighting for our survival here in the US, in the face of a crushing increase in web radio royalty rates, which if left unchanged, would mean the end of Pandora.
---------------
The really stupid thing is that the ONLY music CD's I've bought in the last couple of years have been bands that I've either discovered or re-discovered through Pandora.
But I suppose that while the music execs can make a mint by manufacturing 5 minute wonder pseudo celebrities, milking them for a year or two then tipping them back into the gutter without ever having to support their long term interests, why would they care if they can sell music from long past artists with real talent?
I doubt there is much that can be achieved by it but if you are a fan of Pandora or just disappointed to have found out about it too late to enjoy their service, there is a petition calling for backing of these streaming radio services. Any weight that it can lend to the argument to stop fat cat music execs strangling this industry in it's infancy can only be a good thing.
If you feel like lending your voice please have a look:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveNetRadioUK
