This is a rap you've heard before. Inextricably complicated licensing mazes, over-litigious and demanding labels, and royalty floors that make profitability a mirage. Those issues and more were chronicled by VentureBeat, a publication whose audience often advises complete non-involvement.
But, solutions please? Actually, Caldwell had a few. That included creating uniformed APIs and establishing licensing standards, and generating predictable agreements that would allow international expansion. And, Caldwell stopped short of blaming it all on label chiefs, a group that is “watching their entire industry getting burnt down [sounds fun]."
Sounds like a plan, but according to several royalty experts speaking at Digital Music Forum West earlier this month, many rights holders have a vested interest against simple licensing schemes. Perhaps one-off negotiations, friction, and lawsuits better maximize profits, but it seems to be killing the next generation music industry.
Paul Resnikoff, publisher. Written while listening to Junior Jack.
