Thread: Everytime I Hear Or See This Rhapsody Commercial...

I get knots in my stomach thinking .....WTF.......how the hell does this contribute to the business of music?!?!?!?!?

It's interesting you say that. I always thought of this as a "semi-positive", as it seems like a much better alternative that the illegal downloading and does it provide a revenue stream (although greatly reduced) for artists. Of course, it's nowhere near as good as selling the physical CD or digital LP. I wonder what kind of revenue artist can see from sites like Rhapsody or Napster...? Does this reach an audience that would not buy the product otherwise? Somebody must have studied this - I'd love to learn more.

Interesting topic.

Well, these sites are treated like venues are. All places that play music (i.e. stadiums, clubs, retailers, television, etc.) must pay a monthly fee to PROs for a license to play their client's music. Not much money for the artists seeing how everything is divided amongst all the artists, but that's how they treat these sites. They pay a lump sum every month, then turn around and charge people to download the music for a fee. Its not illegal because the site is paying the PRO and not the record labels or distributors. They cut the middle man out by paying the PRO because that's where the artist is. Look into it more and you'll understand more what I'm saying.

DNR