On 6/27/07, Alan Haber <zoogang@cox.net> wrote:
> Exactly, Michael. That's what I've been trying to say all along. Where are
> all the royalties paid by all manner of radio winding up? If the proposed
> rate structure goes through, who exactly is going to count that money and
> divvy it up properly? And where will the proposed $500 a year payment per
> webcaster go? Interestingly, although they were able to decide on a rate
> structure, nobody has figured out how the increased rates will be funneled
> to artists.

I popped out to SoundExchange's website (http://www.soundexchange.com)
and took a quick peek at their FAQ. It seems to beg more questions,
though...

"How are royalties distributed to the right person?
"All royalties collected by SoundExchange are accompanied by extensive
electronic play logs submitted by the statutory licensee, the service
offering the digital transmission to consumers. These logs are
'matched' to a database of unique sound recording information, which
are in turn referenced to an SRCO and featured artist. This allows
SoundExchange to accurately match unique performances with record
companies and artists, and pay exactly what has been earned.
SoundExchange has matched millions of digital performances from play
logs submitted by the subscription services."

...questions like: why is the word "matched" in quotes in the above
answer? Am I the only one envisioning this being read by a suit who
throws up "finger quotes" every time he says "matched"?

"Is there a membership fee?"
"No. Membership in SoundExchange is free. Our services are paid for by
an administrative fee deducted from the royalties collected..."

Maybe that's where Eytan's payments are going: "an administrative fee
deducted from the royalties collected." And why isn't "free" in finger
quotes too?

And, Alan, I, too, get weepy thinking about this.

ed.

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