Peter Gabriel to Rush Limbaugh: Stop using my music...

[harmonicon]

86. I have looked into SESAC

I'm a bit put-off by their for-profit status and lack of transparency in general. I've been living in the UK for five years now and don't really know where I'll be in a few years. I have a friend here who's registered with GEMA (that's the German equivalent) and thinks they're excellent - better than PRS (the UK one) or the US ones, but I think a lot of that has to do with where you're getting more performances (he and I are primarily composers), broadcasts, etc. with determining who is the best.

What I mean about ASCAP/BMI negatively affecting the culture is through their support of things like ACTA, PIPA, etc. I also don't like how they shake down people like independent record store owners for licenses. I really don't think that record store owners should have to pay to play records they're trying to sell in their stores, but since these groups have a monopoly, there isn't much they can do to argue against it. Another example: I know some guys who run a low-key concert series where all of the events are free. They still got demands from ASCAP and BMI both to pay for a license. I'm really against that, especially as most of the composers who get works played there, I'm certain, would happily give up any performance royalties generated from performances at that venue. Basically, where the RIAA goes, they seem to go, and I think the RIAA is about the worst organization in existence right now when it comes to combating the advancement of culture and technology.