Arts+Labs is a collaboration between creators and innovators who regard the Internet as a vibrant town center where all consumers can safely choose from a vast array of digital products, entertainment and services. Because quality content drives the Internet, Arts+Labs and its founding members: AT&T, Viacom, NBC Universal, Cisco, Microsoft and the Songwriters Guild of America, also aims to ensure that artists, creators and innovators can safely share their works through new online distribution channels with confidence that their right to earn fair compensation for their creativity is respected.
http://blog.artsandlabs.com/2008/09/announcing-artslabs.html
“We certainly do not condone online theft of copyrighted materials. At the same time, we similarly do not favor the unwarranted intrusion into the Internet that this group promises for the future.”
http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/1760
by certifiedbug on March 14, 2008
in News
The industry’s anti piracy efforts appear to be futile, failure to stop piracy by suing Internet users, digital rights management all but abandoned.
But wait, now the music industry is considering a file sharing surcharge, per user per month, that Internet Service Providers collect from users.
This would be used to compensate songwriters, performers, publishers and music labels. Rightly so, but… will Internet Service Providers be able to implement such a practice. There is sure to be a backlash especially from smaller providers on a tight budget. Think rural, ISP options are often sparse in the boonies, something city users may not be aware of with their countless Internet options and budget packages.
Like I have said before, piracy is not free, it costs us all. 
Discussion today at South by Southwest
Mobility, Ubiquity and Monetizing Music
Room 18ABC
Friday, March 14th
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm
