On The Media, an NPR produced show, recently ran a great piece on fair use and how out of control it has become. Specifically, the story examines the impact “fair use” licensing has had on documentary film producers. Did you know record companies want money every time a phone rings with one of their artists’ ringtones? These are documentary films, folks, and things like this are not scripted or under the control of the director or producer. Documentaries are supposed to capture real life and everything that happens in it! How are directors supposed to accurately portray real life (ie. phones ringing) when they are faced with the obligation to license every logo or sound that unfolds in the telling of their tale? It’s quite apparent to me that the major record labels are greedy cunts whose last hope of survival is to squeeze money from every orifice it can find, regardless of whether or not it is due.
Hear the segment for yourself or view the transcript at the On The Media web site.
Post a Comment