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Digital Music Copyright Issues Debated At CES
January 6, 2014 at 3:17 PM (PT)
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The issue of digital copyright and music took the stage at an INTERNATIONAL CES panel MONDAY afternoon (1/6).
The CEA's MICHAEL PETRICONE said that his organization wants a "vibrant" online music environment in which artists are fairly compensated, businesses can easily offer music on the Net, and consumers can access music as they want. PETRICONE noted that the present royalty system (a "RUBE GOLDBERG" system) "doesn't make any sense" and that the interests of independent artists are protected in whatever new system takes hold.
But veteran music producer HANK SHOCKLEE asked what "infringement" really means, wondering if a little girl posts a music video on YOUTUBE, would that be actionable; HFA (THE HARRY FOX AGENCY) SVP/Client Services MAURICE RUSSELL responded that in that example, the DMCA allows the use but not for monetization. The discussion led to a detailing of how YOUTUBE deals with "fair use" claims by YOUTUBE-based video channel INDIMUSIC CEO BRANDON MARTINEZ (and RUSSELL pointing out that "fair use is not a license" but PETRICONE responding that the focused should not be on telling people "don't do that").
The panel, moderated by DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE's NED SHERMAN, addressed the tension between copyright and creation, whether artists are "screwed" by licensing arrangements between labels and streaming services, the debate over the DMCA safe harbor provision allowing sites to escape liability for what users post, and more.

