Music industry to set 'licence fee', set to revolutionise illegal file-sharing

[The fish]

Music industry to tax downloaders

Internet users could face an annual charge of up to £30 to download music, under plans to be unveiled today that aim to tackle illegal file-sharing.

Ministers are backing proposals that would enable millions of broadband users to pay an annual levy which would allow them to copy as much – previously illegal – music from the internet as they wanted. The money raised would be channelled back to the rights-holders, with artists responsible for the most popular songs receiving a bigger slice of the cash.

John Hutton, the Business Secretary, and Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary, will unveil a package of proposals, beginning with thousands of prolific downloaders receiving letters warning them they are breaking the law by copying music and sending it to friends. The Government sees that move as the last chance for internet service providers (ISPs) to get a grip on the growing problem of piracy.

In the longer term, Mr Burnham is supporting calls from sections of the music industry for a yearly levy of £20 to £30 to be imposed by ISPs on customers who want to share music.

They believe it would prevent criminalising large sections of the public, while helping to compensate the music industry for lost sales. If successful it could be extended to cover films and television programmes.


Source (http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/music-industry-to-tax-downloaders-875757.html)


I think this is an awesome plan, to be honest. I'd pay it.

[RoadKill]

They can suck my dick

[Emasher]

They tried to do this in Canada, only it was only 5$, and it didn't pass.

[Slaggis]

Anyone moaning really should stay quiet. It'a a great idea, and is much better than suddenly being fined masses for downloading illegally. Also, if you download as much as some people do (*looks at himself*) then you're getting an extremly good deal.

[Tellyn]

I just saw this on the news, it's an excellent way to combat both piracy and overpriced albums.

[Olympic Gamer]

O lawds, encrypted torrents any one?

Fuck the music industry. This is a rebellion about how much we payed for music in the nineties. Charged £3 for a fucking single, but albums still vary, some being decently priced.

It wont pass at all, no way. Much like how the piracy plan earlier this year was slammed by the EU.

Instead of finding new ways to make money, the government should ignore the music industries cries and just do something about the increasing violence.

[Supergrunch]

This would be a great idea, providing they managed to stop illegal downloading... which is pretty impossible.

[EEVILMURRAY]

If it's possible to save Galbadia Hotel. It might be worth it.

[ShadowV7]

Good plan, and it is certainly fair. But, I want to see them try this first and see if it actually works, which I don't think they will. Seems they're trying to make a good deal of music downloaders, like they're desperate to try and form some sort of deal :heh:

Though speaking of this, I think my aunt last week or the week before got a phone call or letter from her ISP saying she had downloaded an illegal song.

[Sheikah]

If it's possible to save Galbadia Hotel. It might be worth it.
No one can save that. Laguna had a leg cramp and fell onto the structural pillar.

[RoadKill]

I don't see any of this is fair in the slightest - all it will do is pipe money back into the hands of the greedy and rich music execs that speak for labels that release shitty pop music.

If you want your money to go to the artists you like, buy their fucking CD, don't support some government backed plan to take the money from the masses and give it to the only body powerful enough to get such a stupid fucking law put in place

Also, how do they determine who downloads illegal music? If you have to sign up to pay for it, surely that's just admission of criminal intent; if it's mandatory if you own a net connection, then it means everyone must suffer. this can achieve no good

[EEVILMURRAY]

No one can save that. Laguna had a leg cramp and fell onto the structural pillar.

Eh?



.

[Shino]

I would pay that, if they could prove I had downloaded illegal music.

[Calza]

what the hell... i'm sure Steve Jobs will be happy to hear this.

Honestly sounds like the worst idea ever, the only way the goverment could operate this sort of stuff would be complete tracking of what you do and where you go online.

[The fish]

I reckon it would curb the problem - most people who download music illegally do so as it's convenient and cheap. If it could also be made legal (and not require frickin' iTunes, not to mention be cheaper than it), then most people would snap it up.

Criminalising the masses is only a good idea if you really, really want to get voted out of power.

[Paj!]

Also, if you download as much as some people do (*looks at himself*) then you're getting an extremly good deal.

Same here. I don't exclusively DL, I buy a lot of music (probably more than what I DL), but it's still a lot of money I've not spent for quality music.

[uəʌəsʎɐɾ]

... so basically it's up to our ISP's to charge us? So they'll block numerous ports until we pay to unlock them, then? Or am I just wildly flailing with my imagination. because if it's the way i'm envisioning, then the ISPs will charge everyone thsi rate regardless as to whetehr they download or not. No? Didn't check source, so am probably wildly throwing accusations around.

[Twozzok]

The way the BBC article makes it seem is that you opt-in to pay the £30 a year fee, and then you can't be fined for breaking copyright laws.

If so that's awesome, even if it's just to stop my dad telling me how much of a criminal I am :/

[Sheikah]

The way the BBC article makes it seem is that you opt-in to pay the £30 a year fee, and then you can't be fined for breaking copyright laws.

That would be very odd...surely HMV and the like would go out of business.

"10-15 quid per album from HMV or £30 for every song you ever wanted".

Hmm...

[M-PG71C]

What a shitty law, what if you don't download music illegally? Are they going to tax you anyway because they feel like it? I pay for my music legitmately and I am not going to cough up some tax so some son of a bitch can steal "legally".

What a load of shit, Europeans (and eventually Americans) need to do the most logical thing like what the Canadians did, give it the thumbs down.

[bluey]

i dont understand... how are they planning to tell who downloads music and who doesnt?

who'd sign up to be charged for something they could just do for free with a bit of effort??
they should've started with a "free cake for people who illegally download musik" campaign... THEN they'da had a good list going..

we already pay to use the internets... why isnt the music industry teaming up with the internet providers to shaft us THAT way??
...i didnt say anything... O_O!

[uəʌəsʎɐɾ]

"the music industry will announce today that 12,000 letters will be sent over the summer to repeat downloaders warning them they are breaking the law. They hope the shock tactics will deter internet users from illegal file-sharing... They could also be ordered to install filters that would prevent downloading. "

and

"A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the BPI, which represents hundreds of record companies, and the six largest internet providers. It commits them to work together to achieve a "significant reduction" in illegal file-sharing."

.. are the key things to me, besides the whole my-internet-bill-might-suddently-jump-£30. I think it's more likely for the ISPs to block the ports first. Who are the top 6 anyway?

[Noodleman]

How much of this £30 fee will go to the artists I'm betting none. Also as I understand its not a voluntary thing, everybody who has an interent account will get this £30 added to their bill regardless of wether they download or not.

In the long run this will surely harm the record industry if you are already being accused of being a dirty pirate and have paid £30 then fuck it you might as well just download everything. C.D sales will finish after all you've been charged £30 because the record industry thinks you're going to steal the latest high school musical album anyway, so you might as well prove them right rather then buying it again.

[Strider]

Phhhft, seems a daft idea to me. Can a ISP even determine what's being downloaded? Like between a video or a song.

[Jordan]

The only way they can tell what you're downloading is to monitor IP addresses on key torrents/torrenting sites.

Even then you could: Use an extremely strong torrent client that doesn't shown your IP so it becomes unresolvable (unfindable) or use a proxy so you have a different IP address to yours.

Alternativly, use Direct Connect, newsgroups, random P2P programs, rapidshare and all the other online sharing sites. Theres no fucking way the music industry will get away with this. £5 a year? Fine. £30? Fuck you.

I hardly ever download music, mostly because 95% of it is utter bull shit pop bollocks and i sure as hell ain't using iTunes...

EDIT: Regarding the whole ports issue. Most computers/routers can output to over 9000 ports (yes, i said over 9000). What are they going to do, limit every port apart from essentials? Thats just madness.

Also, seeing as the ISP's in this country are utter cocks with their ratio'd DSL speeds and download caps and "oh you went over your limit, LOL ENJOY EXTRA BILL." they're going to be all over this like a prositute. Urgh i hate this country.

[Dyson]

EDIT: Regarding the whole ports issue. Most computers/routers can output to over 9000 ports (yes, i said over 9000). What are they going to do, limit every port apart from essentials? Thats just madness.


Every impulse in my body is telling me to go for it but..I just can't bring myself to.

[Tellyn]

Fine, if you won't, I will.

http://vipulsolanki.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/this-is-sparta.jpg

I forgot about iTunes. I don't think this'll pass now, iTunes is already too mainstream, they sell gift cards in supermarkets and it'd completely render the online store useless for Britain.

[nightwolf]

It seems like another whim that some bright spark wanted to implement but really didn't think through.

It's a shame, I wouldn't mind paying £5/10 extra to be able to download nearly everything, even though I rarely grab songs (I shameful download off limewire, although I've not used it in months...-.-).

It seems like another idea that will soon disappear and hopefully I am not one of those 12k people to have a letter on my door :P

[D_prOdigy]

I too pillage from Limewire. Not proud of it, so I would definately pay £30 if it means I don't have to download iTunes.

The current problem is that many people who use mass-sharing sites (such as the aforementioned one) don't realise that it is illegal. It would be a good idea to write a letter to them informing them of this, rather than banging a fine straight through their door, as most of us have come to suspect from the present government.

[RoadKill]

The current problem is that many people who use mass-sharing sites (such as the aforementioned one) don't realise that it is illegal.

Are you kidding me? Is there ANYONE out there that thinks downloading content you're supposed to pay for is legal? Jesus christ

[Slaggis]

Are you kidding me? Is there ANYONE out there that thinks downloading content you're supposed to pay for is legal? Jesus christ, society reaches ever higher in the retard stakes

So many people do it now, and hardly anyone ever gets into trouble because of it so people just completely forget it's illegal. Don't tell me everytime you download a song illegally you think "Oh shit, I might get caught".

[RoadKill]

So many people do it now, and hardly anyone ever gets into trouble because of it so people just completely forget it's illegal. Don't tell me everytime you download a song illegally you think "Oh shit, I might get caught".

Committing a crime doesn't necessarily make you feel nervous, music downloading is one of those things, but I never at any point thought "this is legal", similarly with going over the speed limit, people do it all the goddamn time, but they do is casually, I look at it in the same way in peoples' minds

[Gizmo]

Are you kidding me? Is there ANYONE out there that thinks downloading content you're supposed to pay for is legal? Jesus christ

Well my dad started whining at me about torrenting and how we were gonna get one of those letters.

At the same time, he had Limewire open and he was downloading music.

The dipshit.

[RoadKill]

Well my dad started whining at me about torrenting and how we were gonna get one of those letters.

At the same time, he had Limewire open and he was downloading music.

The dipshit.

Haha, now that IS ridiculous.

[tapedeck]

What I've always wondered is that if you listen to a track (in its entirety) online, as many sites offer, surely that file is stored somewhere in your temp files, thus meaning you "downloaded" the title. Same goes for Youtube/Google video etc, if you watch a cartoon on YT or a movie on Google Video, (before its taken down) does that mean your a lawbreaker? It's too much of a grey area.

I personally hate the music industry and being a musician who has tried various ways and means to break into it, I've always came away realising that music is greater when shared with others intimately - not on a massive scale. But obviously that's what pays. - And I'm bitter :p

So I think music should be like ye olde days...you do your touring and play villages/towns/cities and you don't actually get paid from your album. Your album is your "calling card"...and the money you make is from touring. The arses on seats are where you make your money. Obviously this wouldn't change the pop-slop and hip-shit we have, but it's a start right? And downloadable albums is a great start, it cuts the middle man/promoting/brain-washing. Just let the damn music speak and let the public decide if they want to go and see the act. (And then make the act cheaper.)

I guess I want it all...I guess everything popular becomes a "business" even if it's something you possibly cannot put a price on. Why should X get paid more than Y just because by some wierd "luck" he is a genius song writer. Whilst Y saves lives and gets sweet F.A...

Rant over.

[Raining_again]

This sounds rather n00bish...But.... You are breaking the law if you watch a film online right?

My workmate was all like, oh no its not illegal etc.

but the same workmate decided not to use a wireless keyboard incase she got hacked....Yes.

[Ginger_Chris]

The whole reason people pirate music is because they don't want to pay for it, so why do they think this is a good idea. Surely people will just find a way to download songs without paying the £30.

However we should support this. Think about it, if you legitimately buy over £30 of music at the moment, this would save you money.

[Emasher]

Are you kidding me? Is there ANYONE out there that thinks downloading content you're supposed to pay for is legal? Jesus christ

At school, at times the subject of piracy has come up and some people start saying things like, "but limewire can't be illegal because you can buy it in stores". I sometimes can't believe people's stupidity either. You know, piracy is one of the non-violent crimes I hate the most.

[MoogleViper]

It's stupid anyway. There's evidence to suggest that musician's are gaining money since people started downloading their music as they don't make much from CD sales they make most of their money from gigs. So the more people hear their songs the more people go to their gigs. The people losing out from downloading are people like the retailers and manufacturers etc.

Are you kidding me? Is there ANYONE out there that thinks downloading content you're supposed to pay for is legal? Jesus christ

Yeah I'm sorry but if anybody actually thinks that it's legal then they are completely retarded.

[Gizmo]

It's stupid anyway. There's evidence to suggest that musician's are gaining money since people started downloading their music as they don't make much from CD sales they make most of their money from gigs. So the more people hear their songs the more people go to their gigs. The people losing out from downloading are people like the retailers and manufacturers etc.

I agree with this somewhat; without piracy I wouldn't have gotten into music anything like I have. It's a real part of my life now, whereas before it was a very casual thing. Now I love going to gigs. I buy band merchandise. But I still mostly download the music illegally, because it's easier. Clichéd, but; I seriously wouldn't have discovered 90% of the music I listen to now without piracy. There are albums I would have bought, but pirated, and there are a hell of a lot more that I wouldn't have bought, but would now go see the band live.

I like what Radiohead did with In Rainbows; let people pay what they want for it. Wasn't it their highest grossing album? On top of that I bet there are people who didn't pay anything but loved it and ended up going to a gig.

[Sheikah]

So many people do it now, and hardly anyone ever gets into trouble because of it so people just completely forget it's illegal. Don't tell me everytime you download a song illegally you think "Oh shit, I might get caught".

Not worrying about getting caught and having no realisation of what you are doing is illegal is completely different though.

[gaggle64]

What I don't like is that this gives the industry and not the consumer control over where revenue goes. How do they monitor the most popular artists for example? Surely they'd just be guessing, handing cash over to the pop-rap-Xfactor-mime-shite producers and probably disadvantaging smaller artists? It's like a weird form of corporate Communism.

[Shino]

There's 14,361,816 broadband subscribers in the UK, multiply that by 30£ and they get 430,854,480£, how much is their current revenue? Either way they get a steady income no matter what, they could even stop producing any music.

[Fierce_LiNk]

To me, it sounds like this:

"We can't beat the pirates...so we may as well get some money off them, if we can."

Ta-daaa, the 30 quid a year "tax".

If anything, like other people have said, this will just increase people downloading, rather than buying the music from stores. 30 quid a year for everything is pretty damn good when you consider albums to be between £7-16 pound.

Still, I love having the actual album in my hands. You can't beat those funky little booklets you get with the albums. :D

I wish more DVDs would include those.

[jammy2211]

I'm split on the idea. On one hand, you get all the music you could ever want for just £30 a year, an absolute bargain I'll happily pay for. On the other, it gives the record companies a life line, when in truth they deserve to suffer and choke until internet piracy finally kills them off, and we can reinvite music distribution in a more fair way to the artist.

Illegal music downloads is the best thing that's happend to music, it hurts the record labels and not the artists and is going to revolution and change the music industry for the better, sooner or later. It'd be a shame if a tax comes in and saves the majors from their inevitable death, while screwing over all the independant record labels - it's just going to create an environement where the majors win again, do we want this?

In all honesty it's too soon to tell if this is a good idea, it serves no benefit to the artists creating music nor does it in my eyes, help encourage the idea of artists making deep, meaningful music for people who are actually passionate about the art to enjoy.

There are too many if's and buts at the moment, I don't think taxing the UK is a viable solution if the rest of the world isn't going to follow suit though.

[Jamba]

If this gets implemented then its gonna be a fucking sham just like the TV License. How are they going to appropriate the revenues? What happens to those who dont want to opt for this option?

They will force anyone with a computer and an internet connection to have to pay even when its not worth the money. I can't see this scheme being anything but a decrepid pipe-dream.

EDIT: And lets not forget my favourite. One fee for music, one for music, one for tv.... and SO on. It's a joke.