I find it funny how the record companies get mad when someone lipsyncs their songs on Utube and demand that they be removed. I don't see how there is any loss of revenue. If they were smart, they would sponser lipsyncing video contests instead. That would probably sell more CDs and build fan loyalty.

It isn't just the specific performance that is copyrighted. It is the words and music and even different arrangements of same.

Record Companies aren't stupid - they're greedy.

Even if the companies didn't care the likelihood that someone like ASCAP would start pushing for royalties is fairly high. In the opinion of RIAA/ASCAP et al they should share in ALL profits you make if you are even remotely related to music. Back when I worked in the hotel industry they had to gall to say they should share in room revenue because there was muzak playing in the lobby.

Their greed is pretty myopic. I find these amateur videos to be pretty stupid, but they could result in increased sales of the original just due to the free exposure. If you buy a CD because one of these videos introduced you to a song or reminded you of it, then the songwriters also get their cut. If someone posted an MTV video, that would be one thing, but when they do things like throwing a 75 year old blind man in jail for playing a Beetles tune on his harmonica, that will just enrage customers and end up hurting the bottom line. I don't care if the Beetles music is being remastered and re-released. If I see a Beetles CD in the store, I will remember about that old blind guy and turn away. I would just feel too guilty if I purchased the CD.
The way they have extended and toughened the copyright laws, don't be surprised if you get arrested or sued for singing Jingle Bells or Happy Birthday.

Such a sad place this world has become when you have to bring an IP lawyer along with you while you are whistling a tune, skipping down the forest path on a sunny day.

I love it that in Canada, you can download almost any file out there.

No way am I bowing to the idiot and greedy record companies. They have to embrace music downloads as an event here to stay, and need to offer VIABLE downloads. I won't ever buy a song if I can't play it everywhere and everywhen, and if the artist doesn't get 95%.

...................

But you have to pay a hefty royalty tax on memory cards, even if its for your camcorder. Or is that still coming.

There was a Canadian economist who studied the pricing system of music. According to him, more money would be made selling music at 5 cents a song. This coincidently is about what most artists are paid. There was a TWiT podcast where one of the panelists was Roger McGuinn of the Byrds. In the late 60's, he made around .003 cents per album. So the business model of the record companies is rip everyone off.

http://www.twit.tv/21