RIAA Takes On XM Over Copyright Infringement

[news=http://www.slyck.com/newspics/xmradio.jpg]Satellite radios are a relatively new thing in the world of digital technology. With a system that receives a signal, it is no surprise that someone would eventually create a device to record the information of that signal. Satellite radio companies XM and Sirius are attracting unwanted attention by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for allowing listeners to record and store songs. RIAA executives claim that this activity is a blatant copyright violation.

The RIAA has been holding discussions with XM and Sirius about the devices that allow such activity. This could become the next target for the RIAA.

"It could become a game of chicken — who's going to blink first?" said a record company executive.

The devices are reportedly to be released on schedule this fall. Last week, the RIAA reportedly discussed the issue on its weekly conference call with representatives of the four major music companies. A separate call was held solely to discuss the issues surrounding XM and Sirius' portable devices just shortly after.

In late July, XM announced a partnership with Samsung to produce a portable device that allows users to record songs from satellite radio broadcasts and then catalog and save favored songs while deleting others.

Sirius later announced a similar device, called the S50. The device will be about the size of an iPod and released in October.

The music industry argues the recording capability — essentially Tivo for radio — is a clear copyright violation and could take revenue away from paid download music stores, such as iTunes. One executive argued the devices give users "permanent ownership of copyrighted material without paying for it."

XM has a deal with the paid service Napster, which allows user to click and buy songs they hear on satellite radio broadcasts. The deal was welcomed by the industry, yet raises the question, one music executive said, "Why would anyone use the Napster platform to buy it if XM is giving it away for free?"

Some record executives expect an ugly battle if XM and Sirius don't modify the devices.

"They can't do this without being sued," said another music executive involved in the discussions.

The rupture over the portable devices comes as the music industry is gearing up to demand higher licensing fees from the satellite radio industry once the current seven-year contract expires at the end of the year.

The current contract is for below market rates — a deal that "essentially financed satellite radio's introduction and gave them a seven-year license at vastly below market rates in order to allow that business model to occur," said Edgar Bronfman Jr., chairman and CEO of Warner Music.

Bronfman's comments came in response to a statement from Sirius chief Mel Karmazin, who said he expected the pricing issue to ultimately be decided by arbitration.

:source: Source: http://www.slyck.com/news.php?story=932[/news]

but don't we do that with tv? back in the day when vcr's 1st came out, everyone bitched bout how tv companies will loose money. loose money my ass!

This is just silly really...

Do these mofos ever stop. I hope each of them loses all their money and live on the street begging for it. I would spit on them then.

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The RIAA is at it again. Now they don't like satellite radio. From the article 'The record industry ... believes the recording capability [of satellite radio receivers] is a clear copyright violation and could take revenue away from paid download music services.' This comes on the heels of both Sirius and XM announcing mp3 enabled players and the ability to record music heard on the radio. Also from the article: 'RIAA may seek $1 billion plus in music rights fees for a new contract covering 2007 to 2012 to replace the current $80 million pact that expires in 2006.

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http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/10/07/1247235

what DO they like. People buying EVERY CD they release even if they wont listen to it.

Well wake up. Shit dont work like that