DRM News

In yet another move to show how increasingly out of touch with the real world they truly are (I believe this is indication # 1,054), the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) took legal action to receive a greater fee from gyms across the country to play their music.

They won.

According to news.com.au :

Gyms will have to pay fifteen times more to play music for punters to work out to after a federal magistrate ruled musicians are not being paid enough for the use of their songs.

The decision will increase music copyright fees per class from a modest 96.8 cents to a whopping $15 a class – which could add an extra $1 to the cost of the class for each attendee.

The PPCA represents Sony Music, EMI, Universal and Warner in Australia.

Yet again, we’re shown where the legal entities of these labels are focusing their attention. Yes indeed, charging what is essentially a performance fee to have 80’s hair metal and classic rock blaring in the background while people try to work off a few pounds for summer…THAT’S the ticket to resurrecting the label business method!

Then again, what else can be expected for an organization still using the word Phonograph in their title, as though it’s 1962. I believe that’s the same business plan playbook the entire industry has been running with in the near half century since.