If you don't know, the RIAA is a group of labels and distributers who control about 90% of US music.
Quote
The real problem the RIAA has with services like Pandora is something called EPT, or Equal Playing Time. Corporate terrestial radio gives very little playing time to independent artists. For example, the radio station around my town, 105.7 The X , only gives two hours a week to independent music on a program called the Sunday News. Every other time of the week, every song they play (and I do mean EVERY SONG) is owned by the RIAA. The RIAA has a monopoly on rock music for that market.
Services like Pandora, however, replace the need for terrestial radio by offering listeners free personalized stations. The only problem is that they give EPT to both independent and major labels. This is a real threat to the monopoly the RIAA has struggled to build. If people hear as much independent music as the major-label-music, they might start buying independent albums and going to independent concerts, taking away business from major labels. By forcing legislation that shuts down these services, the RIAA isn't protecting its own rights. It's protecting its own monopoly.
Services like Pandora, however, replace the need for terrestial radio by offering listeners free personalized stations. The only problem is that they give EPT to both independent and major labels. This is a real threat to the monopoly the RIAA has struggled to build. If people hear as much independent music as the major-label-music, they might start buying independent albums and going to independent concerts, taking away business from major labels. By forcing legislation that shuts down these services, the RIAA isn't protecting its own rights. It's protecting its own monopoly.
Sign the petition!
What are your thoughts on that and the RIAA in general? Even if you don't live in the US?
Personally, I love Pandora and I think they're retarded for doing this.
