Music industry watch

The Future of Music Coalition weighs in on Net Neutrality

The Future of Music Coalition has written a good piece of how the Net Neutrality is important for independent musicians. We've heard lots of tech companies bicker back and forth about net neutrality. I think the lack of Net Neutrality would kill off all the innovative aspects of the Net and put control into the hands of a few large companies. I am pleased to see non-tech focused groups speaking out in favor of Net Neutrality:

For musicians, net neutrality means they should have the unfettered ability to make their work available to potential fans without undue interference from corporate gatekeepers. Similarly, music fans should have the ability to access this music via a range of legitimate business models. Net neutrality also ensures the continued innovation that has spurred the growth of the indie sector, the transition to a legitimate digital economy and, more widely, consumer adaptation of broadband services.

To understand the importance of net neutrality for artists, look at the lack of a similar principle in modern commercial radio. When informally polled as to why they sign away their copyrights to major labels, most artists explain that they need to be on a major label in order to have a shot at commercial radio airplay. And, sadly, these artists have a point.

A multi-tiered network is the most stupid thing I've heard in a long time. If this comes to pass, I doubt the world will go along with it and would only serve to isolate the US further and let the country fester is it own crap. How many more things can this country do to possibly make it less competitive than it already is?

Technorati Tags: media, innovation, net neutrality

Posted by Mayhem at June 14, 2006 01:01 PM