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This is what I’m thinking too. Neither party here is completely innocent. I think it’s important to distinguish between songwriter associations (companies like BMI or ASCAP who collect royalties “on behalf of songwriters”) and the actual songwriters themselves.

The songwriters aren’t really the ones to blame here. They’re being hidden behind being labels and corporations who lobby for these higher royalties. At the same time, while Pandora’s intentions may be good-natured, they end up screwing over the actual artists in the process. This is why I’m glad we’re heading in a direction where it will become increasingly important for singers and songwriters to offer their music to fans directly, rather than going through third party publishers.

6 days ago on CEO of top music publishers' trade group says Pandora is at war with songwriters

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You sound very bitter. As a fellow songwriter, you should be able to understand and sympathise with how difficult it is to write a song that millions of people love and relate to, even if it is some “crappy formulaic” pop song. Your taste in music is not the be and end all. Even people that fall under the “lowest common denominator” deserve to enjoy music. What is it to you if they enjoy “crappy formulaic songs” sung by “crappy singers”? And since when is $349 equivalent to being “made rich”? Without knowing the amount of time that those 12 million plays came in, it’s hard to even judge whether or not that is a decent amount.

“At least the performers go out and sing/play these songs live on a continuous basis… if anybody should get rich off these songs, it’s them.”
Right. It’s not like those performers wouldn’t have a song to sing/play without those worthless money-grubbing songwriters. You should know it takes a lot of time and hard work, plus years of honing one’s craft to write songs that a massive amount of people enjoy. Simply because you don’t enjoy their work doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to get fair compensation for it. I don’t enjoy watching most sports, but I would never belittle the amount of talent and hard work it takes to play in the NFL, and I’m sure NFL players work their butts off to make all the money they do. You should really come off your high horse.

6 days ago on CEO of top music publishers' trade group says Pandora is at war with songwriters

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“leaving the remainder to go to the person who writes the song (who really doesn’t do much, in the grand scheme of things).”

Not sure if this was part of your “sarcasm and made up numbers”, but if anything, the songwriter should get the biggest cut. Either way, $349 for 12 million+ plays still seems quite low, even when splitting between all other rights holders.

Can anyone explain why internet streams are required to pay royalties while traditional radio stations are not? That’s what seems strangest to me.

6 days ago on CEO of top music publishers' trade group says Pandora is at war with songwriters 2 replies