Big Music chases woman for singing out loud
p2pnet news view | P2P | Music:- Back in July p2pnet posted about BMAT, a Spanish company which was promoting new software which, it claimed, could track live performances and “reinterpretations of copyrighted works” on- or offline.
With user generated content, “you have people people singing in their houses, songs, and until now, they have been unable to be identified,” stated BMAT CTO Pedro Cano. “But now, with our solution they can be identified. Same with live concerts, and same with professional re-interpretations.”
The rumour that shower heads would soon come with pre-fitted microphones linked to the RIAA’s HQ shouldn’t be entirely discounted, we said.
Now, “A shop assistant who was told she could not sing while she stacked shelves without a performance licence has been given an apology,” says the BBC.
“Sandra Burt (right), 56, who works at A&T Food store in Clackmannanshire, was warned she could be fined for her singing by the Performing Right Society (PRS).
“However the organisation that collects royalties on behalf of the music industry has now reversed its stance.”
PRS snoops accused her of putting on a “public performance,” says the Daily Record, going on:
“They told Sandra she could face a four-figure bill, or even a court case, if she didn’t pipe down.”
But, “It’s ridiculous,” the story has her saying, adding:
“What’s the world coming to when Big Brother wants to charge you for singing a wee tune? I sing all the time. It’s just a spontaneous, happy thing. I’m a naturally happy person.
“They’d have to put tape over my mouth to stop me.”
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win ~ Mahatma Gandhi
p2pnet – Sued for singing in the shower?, July 1, 2009
BBC – Apology for singing shop worker, October 21, 2009
Daily Record – PRS threaten gran with four-figure bill – for singing to customers in shop, October 15, 2009
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