MAJOR VICTORY??

Appeals court rejects Webcast royalty delay | Technology | Internet | Reuters

This was coming, one way or another. It looks like there's no reprieve, even though opponents say that the battle isn't over.

However, what strikes me is the attitude of the executive from SoundExchange:

"This is a major victory for recording artists and record labels whose hard work and creativity provides the music around which the Internet radio business is built," SoundExchange executive director John Simson said. "Notwithstanding this victory, we continue to reach out to the webcasting community to reach business solutions."

"Major Victory..." Shutting down thousands of online outlets for musicians, listeners, indie netcasters...this is termed a 'major victory'?

Perhaps he hasn't read the research or heard the anecdotal evidence that spreading music around by bits and pieces here and there actually leads to INCREASED sales...and that by closing down thousands of those bits and pieces, he's helping to shutter the doors on ways people get exposed to music.

There was a government study done years ago (I wish they'd do another!) that demonstrated unequivocally that sharing music by copying it and giving it to friends leads to MORE SALES.

Even in this digital age, if a fan finds a new artist, it's still highly likely that they'll eventually PURCHASE some of that artists music or attend a concert.

Closing down web stations that expose people to new artists (and face it, even the 'mainstream' artists are still new to people every single day) is closing down one avenue of music exposure.

I can't think that this is a 'major victory' for the recording artists and record labels, who continue to see CD sales decline.