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INDIE NEWS BEAT
June 29, 2004 Edition
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BuzzPlant Adds Digital Rights Management Services
* New Senate Bill Threatens Betamax Protection
* IndieRadioLive.com For The Good Of Music
* Coalition Calls For Radio Industry Changes
* Pillar's Almost 19,000 Units In First Week
* The Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act
* Coast Sound Radio Launches To Rave Revues
* Electronic Music Community Unites To Redefeat Bush
* More To Promoting Music Then The Internet
* Senator Dorgan On Concentration Of Broadcast Ownership
* Protest Of A Music Ban On Hip Hop And Foreign Music
BuzzPlant
Adds Digital Rights Management Services
 Acclaimed
Internet marketing company, BuzzPlant has added Digital Rights Management
to its long list of client services. By utilizing Microsoft's Windows
Media DRM, BuzzPlant can encode timed-out downloads or limited play
functionality to music. What this means, is that record labels and
artists can now release full versions of songs online, and still
retain complete control of how many times the song is played or
how long a person can have it on their computer.
INO
Records and Flicker Records are already using the technology with
some of their new releases. Buzzplant can also capture important
demographic data on people listening to the songs as well.
Additionally,
BuzzPlant has added 2 more web designers to their team to enhance
their web development offerings. Recent sites include www.charliepeacock.com,
www.bobbyjonesthemovie.com, www.redeemthevote.net .
Source:
New
Senate Bill Threatens Betamax Protection
 The
Home Recording Rights Coalition today expressed deep concern over
a new Senate bill, the "Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act
of 2004," that would impose copyright liability for any person for
any activity "intentionally inducing" copyright infringement. HRRC
called for a full hearing on the legislation.
HRRC
said that the proposed bill, though not overtly aimed at devices
and software, could be interpreted as giving copyright owners a
veto over the introduction of almost any new technology for home
and personal use, and thus effectively eviscerate the fundamental
public policies and essential safeguards for technology developers
that formed the basis of the Supreme Court's landmark 1984 Betamax
ruling.
"We
understand that this bill is aimed by its sponsors at multi-purpose
on-line services, and how they might be abused. But it also covers
all multi-purpose devices, software, and home networking products,"
said HRRC Chairman Gary Shapiro. "Every time entrepreneurs launch
a new hardware, software, or home network product, this bill would
seem to subject them to a jury trial about what they had in mind.
This would chill the introduction of new technology and new products
across a wide range of media. It merits full and careful consideration
of all of its potential consequences."
In
1976, motion picture studios filed for a court injunction against
the marketing of the first consumer VCR, or "video tape recorder."
When the case reached the Supreme Court, the Court observed: "The
request for an injunction ... indicates that [the studios] seek,
in effect, to declare VTR's contraband." The Court refused to ban
VCRs according to their use or terms of sale, observing: "It seems
extraordinary to suggest that the Copyright Act confers upon all
copyright owners collectively, much less the two [studios] in this
case, the exclusive right to distribute VTR's simply because they
may be used to infringe copyrights. That, however, is the logical
implication of their claim."
Source:
IndieRadioLive.com
For The Good Of Music
 Music
is known to us all, even to those still in the womb. The first sound
we ever hear is the strong and steady beat of Mom's heart. The quiet
base sound of "bum-bum" "bum-bum" was so precious that we could
not survive without its comforting sound. Where would our unborn
little souls be if not for Mom's constant, pulsating music pumping
into our veins? Mindless, compassionless, emotionless, and not to
mention Rhythmless. Those qualities, unfortunantly ARE in the souls
of people in the world today.
That
is why Indie Radio Live has searched the earth for the only ones
dedicated enough to save the musicless souls from a life of repetitious
Noise brought to you by corporate radio. Not only should the lonely
rhythm-challenged be saved, but the whole world should be kept harmoniously
in Tune.
Who
could we find that would possibly partake in this colossal task?
They should be brave enough to stand up for the Indie music they
believe in. Our heroes should be loyal to their Independent music
Congregation of listeners, who's need in music is great. They should
be dedicated to their Indie Bands/Artists who create everlasting
harmony for the world. Above all else, their toes must tap, their
head's should nod, their heart's should sing, and they should hear,
feel and touch the Indie musical calling that only They could deliver
to the world.
Source:
Coalition
Calls For Radio Industry Changes
A
Seattle-based coalition is calling for a host of changes to our
nation's commercial and public radio landscape, including support
for ownership limits, artists' rights, community media access, content
diversity and local accountability.
Giving
shape to widespread concerns about negative trends affecting the
radio industry in recent decades, a coalition of music industry
professionals, radio broadcasters and consumer advocates is releasing
this week the Seattle Statement on Radio: a wide-ranging list of
policy recommendations aimed at improving what the statement calls
"the most local and ephemeral of our media, with a special ability
to engage both our imagination and our sense of community."
The
statement, on the web at www.reclaimthemedia.org/seattlestatement,
will be presented to the Federal Communication Commission in Portland
on June 24, when Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein
are convening a public town meeting to solicit testimony on issues
related to media ownership consolidation and local accountability.
The
Seattle Statement's numerous recommendations bring together for
the first time the concerns of distinct constituencies involved
with radio. Industry employees, musicians, community media makers
and democratic communications advocates took part in a two-day "Fixing
Radio" forum in Seattle earlier this year, developing critiques
of contemporary radio into concrete ideas for improvement. The statement
released this week is the fruit of that effort.
Source:
Pillar's
Almost 19,000 Units In First Week
Where
Do We Go From Here, the new release from Dove Award-winning and
best-selling rock group Pillar, had sales of almost 19,000 units
during its first week of release, according to SoundScan. The project
entered the Christian Overall sales chart at # 3 and Billboard's
"Top 200" albums chart at # 74. In addition to retail success, the
debut single from the project, "Bring Me Down," has been one of
the most-added songs at the mainstream Active Rock format, and has
seen three weeks at # 1 on Christian Rock radio.
Where
Do We Go From Here repeats the production team that launched Fireproof
to impressive success, with Travis Wyrick and Pillar jointly producing
the album, and includes songs entirely written by Pillar. The band
recently shot a video for "Bring Me Down" at the historic Tennessee
State Penitentiary, which also served as the set for films such
as The Green Mile and The Last Castle.
In
2004, Pillar has been incessantly active both on the road and at
radio. The band will perform mainstage at 23 summer music festivals
and recently headlined the 40-city "See Spot Rock" tour, bringing
Pillar's total audience to over 2 million people since 2001. This
fall, the band will headline the 40-city "Best Buy Presents: Where
Do We Go From Here" tour with special guests Project 86 and subseven.
Source:
Judiciary
Committee Statement On The Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act
House
Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.),
Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), and Judiciary Courts,
the Internet, and Intellectual Property Subcommittee Chairman Lamar
S. Smith (R-Tex.) issued the following statement regarding H.R.
107, the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act.
"We
strongly oppose the substance of H.R. 107. This legislation would
eviscerate a key provision of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act
(DMCA), which is successfully protecting copyrighted works and providing
consumers access to more digital content than ever before. In fact,
a DVD player is now as common a household item as the VCR was 15
years ago precisely because of the DMCA. H.R. 107 would undo a law
that is working and destroy the careful balance in copyright law
between consumers' rights and intellectual property rights.
"Furthermore,
our strong objections to the substance of H.R. 107 are matched by
our objections to what appears to be a bold jurisdictional power
grab. The Judiciary Committee has - and has long had - exclusive
jurisdiction over copyright law. Rest assured, we will wholeheartedly
oppose this move in a bipartisan fashion, as we would expect Energy
and Commerce Committee leaders to do if we attempted to write energy
legislation."
Source:
Coast
Sound Radio Launches To Rave Revues
 CoastSound.Com,
which has been promoting local music on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
since 1999, has launced Coast Sound Radio to rave revues. Snackbar,
the owner and now Operations Manager of Coast Sound has been a major
part of the music scene in the south for over 5 years. "It was the
only logical next step" he says. "We have been promoting local music
for a long time and wanted to let the world hear the great unsigned
artists of the world."
Snackbar,
who is a radio dj by trade has taken his skills to the internet
to form one of the tightest sounding radio stations you will find
on the internet or the FM dial. "One thing that makes internet radio
better, is that with the FCC crackdown in full force, internet radio
stations don't have those same restrictions. Don't be surprised
to see people like Howard Stearn turning to the internet."
Snackbar
has been part of a hugh music scene in Biloxi, Mississippi, which
has been called the next Seattle, that has helped launch the music
careers of bands such as 3 Doors Down, 12 Stones and Atomship. In
fact Snackbar was the person who turned Atomship on the the right
people and got the ball rolling for them. "I hope to help as many
artists as I can to achieve their musical goals, that is why I started
Coast Sound, and now Coast Sound Radio to begin with."
Source:
Electronic
Music Community Unites To Redefeat Bush
Members
of the electronic music community are coming together and coming
out to RedefeatBush. Recently noted artists BT, Ken Jordan from
The Crystal Method, DJ Christopher Lawrence, Tweaker and Nine Inch
Nails co-founder Chris Vrenna gathered to support The Committee
to Redefeat the President /ReDefeatBush. com. The artists were photographed
in RedefeatBush gear by noted photographer Kiino Villand in Hollywood.
The photos will be used in RedefeatBush's upcoming merchandise catalog.
While
at the photo shoot, several artists gave their opinions and reasons
for supporting The Committee to Redefeat the President /ReDefeatBush.com.
Ken Jordan of the Crystal Method said "It was bad enough having
this guy win the presidency without winning the election but he
is invading countries, he lies to the country, and worst of all
he is just neo-con puppet for the rich. We are doing everything
we can to get out the vote and to support Kerry in November and
ultimately we would like to have a President that knows how to read
and pronounce 'nuclear'!"
Christopher
Lawrence, one America's most popular DJs added, "I support The Committee
to Redefeat the President /ReDefeatBush.com because, like the name
says Bush lost the election, yet still became president. "George
Bush has the worst record of any president in history for the annual
deficit, the economy, international relations, the environment,
unemployment, workers rights and civil liberties". Now more then
ever, every vote counts. Bush and his administration of hate and
greed must be removed."
Source:
More
To Promoting Music Then The Internet
While
the Internet has become an important tool to promote Independent
Music (thanks Payola) there is more to promoting a band then exchanging
links and offering your music as free downloads to anyone that will
take them. There is a flood of "online" promotional services who
charge to have a bands website link placed on numerous link exchanges.
This is a valuable service for those bands that are interested in
higher search ranking, however MusiciansPromote sends the band information
and music directly to the industry.
MusiciansPromote
offers E-Releases with band photo, 3 listen links or streaming radio
by BandJams.Com members, band news, and "sounds like" reference
so the receiver of a band's E-Releases can recognize the genre and
style of the bands submission immediately. Every artist using MusiciansPromote
E-Release service receives detailed reports after 30-days of distribution
showing who received their E-Release. An E-Release is much more
effective and in most cases much more affordable then promotional
services who Spam band URL's over the Internet.
MusiciansPromote
currently has an established database of over 5000 media contacts
within the music industry that have chosen to receive E-Releases
through MusiciansPromote.Com. All E-Releases are targeted to our
industry members by band genre and relevancy to the specific media
outlet. By targeting E-Releases it is more likely the receivers
will take the time to read its content, and ensure that our industry
members do not "opt-out" due to irrelevant content being received.
Source:
Dorgan
Applauds Senate Vote On Concentration Of Broadcast Ownership
U.S.
Senator Byron Dorgan applauded Tuesday's action by the U.S. Senate
to limit the concentration of media ownership. The Senate approved,
by unanimous consent, Dorgan's amendment which would reverse Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) rules approved last June which would
have cleared the way for even greater concentration of media ownership.
"Last
June, the FCC performed one of the most complete cave-ins to corporate
interests against the public interest in the history of the country,"
Dorgan said. "The Senate, to its credit, has taken a series of strong,
bipartisan actions to roll back the FCC rules. Today the Senate
expressed itself again, in the strongest possible terms, saying
that it wants the FCC's cave-in reversed and wants it reversed now."
"When
the number of people and corporations who control what 293 million
Americans see and hear in the media shrinks to just a relative handful,
democracy suffers," Dorgan said. "It is clear that as media ownership
is more and more removed from local communities, those owners become
more removed and less in touch with local community standards. Increasing
levels of indecency is the result."
Source:
Protest
Of A Music Ban On Hip Hop And Foreign Music
John
O'Day-CEO of WCH Radio and Next Step Promotions, has come out in
support of an effort to stop the ban on Hip Hop and foreign music
in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was announced this month
that the Committee of Censorship has censored all Congolese rap
groups and foreign music, a decision taken by the Attorney General
of the Republic. This censorship led to the arrest of the program
director of a private television chain, for broadcasting Hip Hop
and foreign clips.
O'Day
is asking that everyone interested in joining him protesting this
move sign the petition that can be found on the africanhiphop.com
website.
Source:
 Provided
by the MusicDish
Network. Copyright © Tag
It 2004 - Republished with Permission
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