The Future Of Music Business Models (And Those Who Are Already There)Ten Good Reasons To Buy

They point out how artists and fans are already connecting, already doing business, and that to institute compulsory license fees simply takes money from fans with a tiny fraction ending up in the artist’s pocket. There is no point to an Internet tax except to provide a paltry pension to retired artists, and ‘money for nothing’ to labels and collections societies.

The first article indicates the sort of case study that a2f2a could start collecting. They could be categorised so that artists coming to a2f2a could figure out the case study most comparable to their own situation.

A survey can inform the development of a manifesto for a political party or anything else directed at meeting popular approval, but NOT the development of business models or engineering solutions.

For example, the Wright brothers may have been interested in surveying opinion as to whether and how manned flight could be achieved, but it is highly unlikely that the survey would indicate that it was possible or what the solution might/should be.

My point is that if prior to the development of the aeroplane you had surveyed opinion as to what the best method would be for crossing the Atlantic, a survey would arrive at the Zeppelin, with the ocean liner a close second, and submarine third. A self-propelled, bird like contraption would be ignored as fanciful (even more fanciful than a bridge).

We’re facing a similar prospect now – how do artists do business with their fans in the future?

1) As per tradition: copyright – a monopoly in copies via labels & retailers.
2) Via the traditional solution when the tradition is blown out of the water by new technology – a compulsory license (qv radio).
3) Back to the drawing board – there must be an easier way.

That’s why we’re still left with this trichotomy:

1) Better enforcement of copyright (reformed for the digital domain).
2) 1 + compulsory license or Internet/ISP tax to permit non-commercial file-sharing.
3) Research and develop methods for artists to do business with their fans directly without need of copyright or taxation.

A survey will indicate the answer to be 2, closely followed by 1. 3 is unimaginable.

As I’ve said before…

For 1 you just sit back and do nothing. The MAFIAA have the solution in the form of ACTA and 3 strikes. It’s coming whether you like it or not (and you won’t unless you’re neither artist nor fan).

For 2 you start campaigning, form a political movement, and wait a few years (if you’re lucky). You can even refer to someone like Paul Sanders and Playlouder who’s ‘been there and done that’ albeit on a voluntary license basis. Also see mediaserviceprovider.com.

For 3 you need a website where people can get their fingers out and collaborate, evolving an educational resource and mutual consultancy, attracting the contribution and participation of all those using and developing non-copyright based business models.

What is a2f2a.com going to be about?