The RIAA Are Pikers Compared To ASCAP
"It is critical that these organizations share a reasonable portion of their sizable revenues with those of us whose content attracts audiences and, ultimately, helps to make their businesses viable," said ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman, who also is a lyricist.
Conner's ruling -- which has no effect on the royalties owed to record labels -- did not specify how much ASCAP members are owed.
"This historic decision, for the first time, provides a clear framework for how the online use of musical works should be appropriately valued," said ASCAP Chief Executive Officer John LoFrumento.
In the long run, the decision might actually help big companies that feature such musical content, as it will likely result in the demise of many smaller sites who can not afford to pay such royalties for music, thereby resulting in a less competition and higher ad revenue per ad for the sites that remain. But we can't imagine Yahoo is too enthused about having a big ongoing liability plopped on their bottom line right about now. Look on the bright side, Yahoo; maybe Ballmer will end up paying it.