New York — Turntable.fm, the latest popular music start-up that has generated a lot of buzz, is now licensed by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
Although still in beta mode and open only by invitation, the site has over 370,000 users. Its growing popularity has many wondering whether the site is operating legally, even though there has not yet been any significant backlash.
Turntable.fm has a deal with white-label digital music provider MediaNet and operates as a “noninteractive” webcaster under the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Although the service has imposed some restrictions to meet DMCA requirements, there are some aspects that are less clear-cut.
The ASCAP arrangement will counter some of the concerns over these gray areas. The performing rights organization explained in a press release Wednesday that their joint efforts will ensure “songwriters, composers and publishers will be paid fairly if the site succeeds. Every song begins with the songwriter, and those songwriters must be able to make a living in the internet age.”
Just days prior, the society announced their licensing agreement with Spotify, the same day that music service launched in the U.S.
“ASCAP is delighted to have entered into an agreement with Spotify that is consistent with our commitment to negotiating fair payment for the public performance of our members’ music,” said ASCAP CEO John LoFumento in a statement.
Founded in 1914 to protect the copyrighted musical compositions of its members, the company has since then gained licensing agreements with over 13,500 local and non-commercial radio stations.
Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/3lzv3hs (ASCAP: Turntable.fm)
http://tinyurl.com/3lhwdq9 (ASCAP: Spotify)
http://tinyurl.com/632ugjt (Billboard.biz)
