Time to rub it in, baby! And that's exactly what Michael Robertson was doing this morning at SF MusicTech Summit. In a licensing panel that preditably morphed into the 'Michael Robertson Hour,' the headstrong MP3tunes founder urged startups to avoid major label licensing—literally, at any cost. “The odds of making money with a major record label are pretty close to zero," Robertson told the assembled. “I challenge you to name me a company that has [been profitable with major licenses]. There just aren't a lot of examples."
The message is certainly getting jotted down by entrepreneurs, many of whom flock to SF MusicTech searching for investors and partnerships. And, ideas on how to avoid various death traps and associated licensing quagmires.
Of course, Robertson is coming off of a monster victory over EMI Music, one that vindicated his model based on DMCA-based uses (and in fairness, punished him for violations thereof). But the end result has gone far beyond Robertson's little startup, as the ruling offered far more clarity for cloud-based duplications and even Grooveshark. “I'm reluctant to sign a license that is a death sentence for my company," Robertson affirmed.
Now, EMI is appealing, and fighting for issues that go far beyond MP3tunes. The reason is that investors—including many at MusicTech—are likely to skip label licensing amidst greater courtroom clarity. And, most have already disavowed models that involve costly, big-label ransoms. “If you want to make money, that's not the way to go..."
The message is certainly getting jotted down by entrepreneurs, many of whom flock to SF MusicTech searching for investors and partnerships. And, ideas on how to avoid various death traps and associated licensing quagmires.
Of course, Robertson is coming off of a monster victory over EMI Music, one that vindicated his model based on DMCA-based uses (and in fairness, punished him for violations thereof). But the end result has gone far beyond Robertson's little startup, as the ruling offered far more clarity for cloud-based duplications and even Grooveshark. “I'm reluctant to sign a license that is a death sentence for my company," Robertson affirmed.
Now, EMI is appealing, and fighting for issues that go far beyond MP3tunes. The reason is that investors—including many at MusicTech—are likely to skip label licensing amidst greater courtroom clarity. And, most have already disavowed models that involve costly, big-label ransoms. “If you want to make money, that's not the way to go..."
