cough it up music streaming companies.

A federal district court in New York ruled Wednesday that the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is owed license fees by online media sites such as AOL, RealNetworks, and Yahoo for the music steamed on their websites. At this time, music streamed by sites owned by the three companies is advertising-supported and no dividends are paid to ASCAP. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York will now determine appropriate fees for AOL, RealNetworks, and Yahoo, all of which have applied for ASCAP licenses but have not been able to agree upon fees. The total payments to the group, which represents over 320,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers--not record labels--could reach $100 million. The license fees would cover music distributed as early as July 1, 2002, and then up through the end of 2009. Because songwriters and composers often aren't affiliated with record labels that distribute their music as performed by another artist, they presently are left without licensing fees from digital distribution on the three companies named in the court decision.

ASCAP President Marilyn Bergman wrote in a statement following the decision:

The court's finding represents a major step toward proper valuation of the music contributions of songwriters, composers and publishers to these types of online businesses.

It is critical that these organizations share a reasonable portion of their sizable revenues with those of us whose content attracts audiences and, ultimately, helps to make their businesses viable. This decision will go a long way toward protecting the ability of songwriters and composers to be compensated fairly as the use of musical works online continues to grow."

The wireless revolution, sooner then expected?

It seems that more and more devices are becoming wireless. While the wireless home may be a few years away, there is a plethora of devices that can make your home as wireless as possible. Everything from routers, radios, and even phones, which allow you to browse the web on the go. Purchasing gadgets that are wireless will for sure give you a head start in the wireless revolution. But do you want to be part of the wireless revolution? This question get’s asked a lot, and I must say that for sure you want to be part of it. Technology changes all the time. As device’s mature and only get better, the revolution may come quicker than some have predicted. But with everything comes some flaw’s. I have only one complaint about wireless, and that is when you use wireless internet access. The smallest things can interfere, causing you to lose your connection, perhaps at the most critical of moments. While the wireless home is on the horizon. It will take a few more years to approve the current devices available.

-Dave Mihalcin Jr.

http://davemihalcin.blogspot.com

Microsoft continues it's quest to purchase Yahoo.

We all know Microsoft, the software giant plans to purchase Yahoo sometime. But will the deal be complete? According to an article in The Wall Street journal, Currently It is looking like a sea saw battle for the company. Microsoft’s board of director’s met Wednesday to discuss options in its attempt to acquire Yahoo. Currently, Microsoft is discussing an offer of as much as $32 to $33 per share, well over the present $29.12 of the original offer. But Yahoo is moving more towards a price of $35 to $37 per share.

-Dave Mihalcin Jr.

http://davemihalcin.blogspot.com

Online content is never safe!

The video posted on 5/1/2008 on Chris Pirillo’s website (Chris.pirillo.com) was featured today, and he did not receive credit for the video. This makes me question a few things… 1. Just because it’s the internet, we don’t need to ask permission to use other people’s work now? Legally no, a person’s work is a person’s work. Why would one assume that you can just chop it down and edit it to your heart’s content without asking the author for permission first? In the case with Mr. Pirillo’s video, the producer of the video removed Mr. Pirillo’s sponsors and chat box he has running at his website (live.pirillo.com) I would call an outrage and wrong for what was done. Mr. Pirillo wrote this about the video….

“While I think it’s great that they used and edited my work, I’m very upset that they did not give me credit. It’s quite well done, so on the one hand I’m proud to have been a part of what they’ve come up with. But of course… the other hand is my disappointment in not being asked to use my content, or even so much as giving me credit for my original work. As traditional journalists, they should have given credit where credit is due. “

Secondly, the video is well done. But when you run a business out of your home and rely on sponsors, they won’t be too pleased to see the videos or webcast in this case without their logos for marketing purposes. Mr. Pirillo continued in his article….

“I’m not asking that they take the video down, since it was so well done. But I do think I should get proper credit. If you’re going to use something that another person has produced… give them credit for the work. Ask them if it’s ok to use! Most of the time, I will give you permission, and ask for a copy of what you put together. Is it really the truth, and the right way of doing things by leaving out where you got the information you used?”

And I will have to agree with him. Give credit where credit is due. The internet may be a good place. But it also has it’s up’s and down’s. So be careful when you publish those video’s… You never know who is going to steal your work without permission.

-David Mihalcin Jr.

http://davemihalcin.blogspot.com