Highlander Radio Is Offline

the world looks better when there're some different ethnics appear on the same place, that make it more colorful
(as I discover the most beautiful sound in the world...Celtic)
but now somebody wants to make the world Black and White...I wouldn't see that happens

We've thoroughly enjoyed it in the short time we've been here. I've even bought a few CDs based on what I've heard. I'ld buy a few more but the boss has cut me sporran away. Told me she had the range for further cutting.

This is definitely a great way to hear the "local" groups in other areas. Our favorite local group disbanded due to some family illnesses and we miss them.

I have made a small donation
for support and appreciation
I am just a poor guy, do not have a lot of money to support

Hmmm, I just thought of something. Something trite and simple. I do believe that a lot of this is due to corporate stong-arming in fear of P2P and similar resources.

/me looks through the group

Perhaps we should see if we can make our voices heard somewhere else in addition, beyond just ranting and raving in here. Anyone with more Govm't experience than I aware of what might be the best approach? I agree with the idea of artists getting at least some reimbursement, but there should be some way to do it that won't kill wonderful places like this. I honestlythought that such things were already much of what the donations to this site went towards.... royalty payments.

other than that
I'd like to introduce THIS to the ppls in Hong Kong
give them a discovery
and there's been too much sadness there
they need something sweet to feel better

I live about a mile from John Whelan here in Milford, Connecticut - Oh, how I wish I had some influence now... He would be an incredible asset on our side - as a Celtic artist and producer, someone like him would surely like to showcase his and our love for Celtic music. Maybe if I see him at the supermarket, I'll ask if he would be willing (or is even capable) to sign that release - he may not have the rights to his own music...

Just a quick note, in the donation department we now have enough for the first licenese through BMI!!! The yearly fee is $267. We are $120 away for the other license from ASCAP!!!

I will be contacting the UK equivilant of these licenses to determine how much their fee is.

This is just the first part. We will need to contact the artists to get permission to play their music without royalty payments. In return we provide CD buy links to amazon.com or back to their website (whichever they perfer) and also promotion in our musician database.

We are on our way. Thanks so much for these donations, we will try to be back up as soon as possible, we might have something through live365 this weekend as a go between.

Just a random thought, would setting up this site in ``Elbonia'' or some other country less concerned about licensing fees and royalties be an option?

Court: Royalties must be paid for online music

Media Reform Network

From Los Angeles Times, October 21, 2003
By Jon Healey

In a blow to Internet "simulcasting," the 3rd District Court of Appeals has ruled that over-the-air broadcasters must pay royalties to recording artists and labels for the songs they play over the Internet.

The appeals panel's opinion, issued Friday, upheld earlier rulings by a federal judge in Philadelphia and the U.S. Copyright Office.

Several leading broadcasters struck a royalties deal with the record labels earlier this year that calls for them to pay about 0.07 cent per listener for each song played. Nevertheless, National Assn. of Broadcasters spokesman Dennis Wharton said the trade group disagreed with the appeals court's ruling and "will be exploring all of our legal and legislative options to overturn this decision, which we believe misinterprets the intent of Congress."

The best defence is an informed citizenry. Here is a link to those that would like to learn more:

Webcasters Alliance

And here is a recent article that probably created our current situation, which actually started last year and has been resurrected.

E-Commerce News

February 11, 2004
Copyright Office Sets Webcasting Rates
By Ryan Naraine


The U.S. Copyright Office has given the thumbs-up to an agreement on royalty rates between the recording industry and online radio broadcasters, a move that gives webcasters several royalty payment options.

For the 2003-2004 period, the settlement agreement spells out the royalty rates for all webcasters -- ranging from Internet-only Webcasters to subscription services to non-commercial radio broadcast simulcasts.

The deal calls for commercial non-subscription and new subscription services to decide between paying per performance rates (per song, per listener) or aggregate tuning hour (per listener, per hour). It also sets rates for what is described as "new subscription services" to have the option to pay a percentage of subscription revenues. Large-scale commercial broadcasters also have choices of royalty payment terms, the Copyright Office said in a statement.

The Copyright Office also designated SoundExchange as the collection and distribution agent for the royalty fees.

The royalty agreement means that large scale Internet-only webcasters like Microsoft (Quote, Chart),Yahoo (Quote, Chart), America Online (Quote, Chart) and RealNetworks would pay either .0762 cents per song per listener of 1.17 cents per listener per hour. The minimum payment for Internet-only webcasters is $2,500.

For subscription services, the Internet-only options are available along with a third option of paying 10.9 percent of revenues. Fees for commercial and non-commercial radio broadcast simulcasts are fixed separately.

Its very sad,I miss checking on the station. I used to check on it and make sure all was up and running for all to enjoy.It was our gift of a break for families from the real world . It was an escape and I hope it made some real quality family time for many.In a world where things are so nuts. It was a place to chat and enjoy the music. I am starting to go through the cds and see if I can help make sense of it all.
Mrs Macfive

Wow! Ms. Mac is on!

Hi Mrs. Mac. glad to see you on here, I just wish the circumstances were better.




I don't envy your job of going through the cd's. Wish there was a way I could help.

Well, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is a LARGE voice in this whole thing.
They are constantly fighting the battles against the RIAA and other organizations that like to put strangleholds on communication and media.

There are alot of other groups out there.

The RIAA and their ilk already know their are alot of voices out there. And they frankly could care less. I'm not advocating taking this lying down, not by no means! But I don't know how my/your voice could be added to the powerful voices already speaking (and the powerful ears which are closed).

The voices screamed in '98. this was the compromise. Some compromise.

Hey Paul, any need for us to contribute by helping you contact the artists? Maybe someone could come up with a form letter, a beginning of a form phone call (some sort of introduction to put the artist or his/her agent at ease with us), or anything else?

And then maybe disperse a list of "artists to contact" with any contact info you may have to those of us willing to share your burden?

I don't volunteer much, but I do believe I'd be willing to chip in on this one if you needed the help. You've put together FAR to great a site to have it crumble down so quickly (and I am not a usual net-radio listener, usually can't stand the stuff).
This music is the only thing that keeps me chipper through my workday lately (work has taken a turn for the horrible, this keeps a smile on my face!).

Of course, if you do not wish to do this, its very understood. Just thought I'd toss the suggestion out.

Pneumandro

In my humble opinion,

While I am not against the motive of profit in business I can not see where these licencing schemes, as currently configured, help fringe music communities like Celtic Music. The amounts of money this could generate for the Recording Companies is miniscule compared to Pop, Rap, or what ever is currently in vogue on the mainstream music scene.

The sad part about this whole rotten situation is that, with the exception of a few big name Celtic artists and their Recording Company/Label (mostly the Recording Company, artists make their money touring, not from record sales/royalties), organizations like ASCAP/BMI and RIAA don?t have the individual Celtic Artist(s)(or their Labels) best interests in mind. It?s the Pop music business that these organizations are working for.

When it comes right down to it this is only about the money!!!!