The panel of judges presiding over the case of webradio broadcast royalties has blocked attempts to initiate any further review. Royalties will be charged starting May 15. This is a decisive defeat for cultural reinterpretation and citizen-level broadcasting. The royalties will deter many from listening to broadcasts (because they will either need to pay subscription fees, or else listen to commercials surrounding their music).
Where we can, we would prefer not to have our own culture packaged, repurposed and sold back to us.
I forcefully sound of cry of "Democracy, NOW!" whenever I talk about the potential of the internet. The potential for long-distance communication of just about any media so far conceived. The movement of goods and ideas throughout the globe, without resorting to an intermediary. It is a shame to think that private citizens cannot engage in private discussions with other individuals without being assaulted by the commercial messages of others. It seems an invasion of space, peace and privacy.
Mostly, I'm disappointed at the rallying power of the medium. The fact that web radio has suffered this blow suggests to me that the internet does not have the power I thought it had. Or, if I'm too pesimistic, I can at least say that people didn't organize quickly or strongly around this - in which case we have resolved to be invaded by commercial messages. Either way, I see culture and history as being assaulted, as being distorted; being wrapped up in a lie of commercialism. When I can't stop thinking about Cadillac when I also think about Led Zeppelin, a shiver runs through my spine. At least "Oh Lord, would you buy me a Mercedes-Benz" was a cultural and social critique using popular imagery - it was commercialism focused through cultural production. With Cadillac/Led Zeppelin, the commercial edifice is hijacking (STEALING!) our collective cultural history and forcing us to PAY for it.
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