JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Mentor Questions Forum Newsweek Interview with Michael Laskow

Hey Gus,

I am curious about your discussion with your kids and their friends. When they told you point blank that they are going to continue stealing music, what was your response? If they had told you they intended to continue shoplifting candy from the local Wal-Mart, would you have given them the same response (or non response) you gave them about file stealing? I don't mean to single you out because you are but one of zillions of parents who happily allow their kids to openly continue these actions. I am just wondering if you, as someone who also creates music, fail to see the irony? I am guessing if they acknowledged stealing candy you'd have a big problem with it.

To Ray: We aren't talking about airplay. Once something has been released for sale and at least 1 copy has been sold, any broadcaster who pays the blanket licensing fees has the right to play it, including internet radio. What we are talking about is selling tracks via downloads like iTunes (and now Virgin Digital and others) and also the on demand system that is a new way to "sell" tracks. In most cases (though not all) the labels (or SR copyright holders) have the rights to control the sales of this music and often also own all or some of the publishing of vast catalogs of music.

I am not sure what legal issues surround the new on demand and subscription models versus the old Radio airplay and brick and mortar sales guidelines. Perhaps someone with direct knowledge of those can fill us in.

Brian