There is currently a bit of fuss brewing at the Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies (like the RIAA, but not) about the Zune’s ability to record from FM. It claims that recordings should be taxed because the Zune is capable of sharing music amongst other Zunes, so consumers could be distributing music that they’re not allowed to exchange.
If this sounds off to you, you’re dead on. As of this instant, the Zune cannot record from FM. Which opens a bit of speculation.
Does the AARC know something that we don’t? From a hardware perspective, the Zune is more than capable of recording and encoding FM streams, it’d really just be a matter of upgrading the firmware.
So what’s going on here? Speculate!
Zune recording of the radio? [Zune-Online.com]
If the feature comes into existence, the music that is shared will be DRMed, I assume? Would this not be a benefit to the artist? Giving them exposure?
It will only be recorded at fm quality anyway. Drmed, maybe, hopefully not per BillG’s comments as of late. But the real problem is redistributing freely available radio? You’ve got to be f-ing kidding me. Sounds like somebody’s trying to muscle in on another $1 deal…
what the only play 3 times or 3 days, and the flag so you can buy the song later isn’t good enough?
It is aggravating how AARC is “putting it out there” that they want their cut for a possibility that does not yet exist. Sure, the firmware update will eventually take place and MS will likely pay some sort of tax per unit and pass the expense on to the consumer.
This is just another way to bilk the consumer brought to you by the music industry!
Best wishes,
Kimmy
everyone knows that anything not sanctioned by the recording labels is bad for artists! here’s to another round of ridiculous claims from the AARC. They’ve learned well from the RIAA.
Isn’t the (pre-emptive) complaining about being about to record FM music just a *little* redundant? I mean, cassette decks have been able to record from them for how long now?
whatever…as long as there is the internet, the music can be downloaded anyway, so these guys need to stop whining!
Eventually, there i going to be custom firmware created from some hackers anyway. They more than anyone, are going to be the ones to implement this feature anyway.
what about like a billion years ago when you popped a cassett into your boombox and recorded off the radio.. then passed the tape along to someone else.. isnt this the same????