Performance Tax, or Money For Recording Artist?

[stevieb]

Decided to put this here, in Jenni's Place, because the Dragon Cave seems to generate more heat than light...

Radio stations- mostly corporate-owned ones, it seems, but certainly in the guise of National Assn. of Broadcasters- are beating the drum loudly, calling for a ban on what THEY are calling a "Performance Tax."

But the recording industry, in the form of musicFirst, "a lobbying group for performers," and Record Industry Assn. of America, are saying it is necessary to close a loophole that allows radio stations to use the artists' recordings of a song for free. (Not to be confused with royalties paid to composers, which is collected thru ASCAP and BMI.)

One thing is for sure- the radio industry is using the scare word "tax" inaccurately- the money would be going to the artist who record the music, NOT any government entity. It appears the system would be similar to, or maybe even a branch of, ASCAP and/or BMI.

Solid, factual information seems to be scarce, at least on the internet- googling revealed 124,000,000 "hits," but the first five are clearly slanted towards the radio industry- #6 (http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/1278) and #7 (http://www.kvue.com/news/bergamo/stories/052809kvue_performance_tax-cb.2700a3ac.html) seem to be neutral- and there is little from the other camp on the first page of google hits- only this http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/moving_america_news/9829) appears to be from the other side, and it unfortunately (in my personal opinion) seems to play the race/victim card.

So, I think I will sit tight on this issue, until I know more about it. I must admit, I came to this decision at least in part because I am not sure I can trust the radio industry any more (or any less) than the recording industry, and I don't want to be lead down a primrose, reactionary path by anyone.

You?

 

[mjr]

Decided to put this here, in Jenni's Place, because the Dragon Cave seems to generate more heat than light...

Radio stations- mostly corporate-owned ones, it seems, but certainly in the guise of National Assn. of Broadcasters- are beating the drum loudly, calling for a ban on what THEY are calling a "Performance Tax."

But the recording industry, in the form of musicFirst, "a lobbying group for performers," and Record Industry Assn. of America, are saying it is necessary to close a loophole that allows radio stations to use the artists' recordings of a song for free. (Not to be confused with royalties paid to composers, which is collected thru ASCAP and BMI.)

One thing is for sure- the radio industry is using the scare word "tax" inaccurately- the money would be going to the artist who record the music, NOT any government entity. It appears the system would be similar to, or maybe even a branch of, ASCAP and/or BMI.

Solid, factual information seems to be scarce, at least on the internet- googling revealed 124,000,000 "hits," but the first five are clearly slanted towards the radio industry- #6 (http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/1278) and #7 (http://www.kvue.com/news/bergamo/stories/052809kvue_performance_tax-cb.2700a3ac.html) seem to be neutral- and there is little from the other camp on the first page of google hits- only this http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/moving_america_news/9829) appears to be from the other side, and it unfortunately (in my personal opinion) seems to play the race/victim card.

So, I think I will sit tight on this issue, until I know more about it. I must admit, I came to this decision at least in part because I am not sure I can trust the radio industry any more (or any less) than the recording industry, and I don't want to be lead down a primrose, reactionary path by anyone.

You?

I thought the artist got a portion based on the number of spins of a particular song. At least that's how I used to understand it. Am I wrong here? I thought ASCAP or BMI tracked that stuff??

 

[RRuskin]

I thought the artist got a portion based on the number of spins of a particular song. At least that's how I used to understand it. Am I wrong here? I thought ASCAP or BMI tracked that stuff??

At this time. these organizations represent composers, writers & publishers. When it comes to public performances and to the best of my knowledge, nobody is looking out for the performers.

 

[mjr]

At this time. these organizations represent composers, writers & publishers. When it comes to public performances and to the best of my knowledge, nobody is looking out for the performers.

So wouldn't the artist still get paid (under the current structure) for any songs of theirs played on the radio?

 

[RRuskin]

So wouldn't the artist still get paid (under the current structure) for any songs of theirs played on the radio?

Artists get paid only if they are the writer, composer or publisher of a given piece getting air play. Other than mechanicals which are based on actual sales, there is no royalty for being the "performer."

 

[mjr]

Artists get paid only if they are the writer, composer or publisher of a given piece getting air play. Other than mechanicals which are based on actual sales, there is no royalty for being the "performer."

Ah, I see. Thank you for that bit of information. I did not know that.