A Canadian group is taking aim not only at dentists, but also doctors and opticians and in fact any kind of office that plays CDs.

SOCAN, the Canadian copyright collective for the public performance of musical works, administers the performing rights of composers, lyricists, songwriters and their publishers.

And, it says, every time a dentist or other health care practitioner plays music for its patients, he or she is stealing. The group wants the doctors to pay up for the right to play their songs.

"This was a money grab," says Dr Jack Cotrell of the Canadian Dental Association, quoted in a CTV story here.

However, "Not only is it the right thing to do, but it's also the lawful thing to do, to pick up a licence for what amounts to a mere few pennies a day," said Andre LeBel, CEO of The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).

This will be music to the ears of the RIAA, not to speak of UMG, BMG, EMI, Sony and Warner, who are busy with their sue 'em all campaign.

"We want people to stop engaging in the theft of music so that people can go on making it. This is a terrible thing where people are biting the hands that make the music and destroying the very music that they want to continue to be created," said RIAA president Cary Sherman.

But SOCAN isn't loooking for court cases (not that it would do much good if it were): it says it hopes businesses will voluntarily come up with the cash - so musicians can continue to make life a little more enjoyable.

(Thanks for the pointer, pepe512000 : )

better watch out docs....that next root canal may be a front for some "investigative music reporting"

""We want people to stop engaging in the theft of music so that people can go on making it. This is a terrible thing where people are biting the hands that make the music and destroying the very music that they want to continue to be created," said RIAA president Cary Sherman."

Funny... independent artists not signed to any label, indie or major, appear to be doing just fine while giving away their music for free. They are making a decent living just from shows, and are able to frequently release albums with no trouble whatsoever.

Un-bloody-believable, yet, strangely predictable. Greed could not be exemplified to a finer point. Of course, I should know better than to underestimate the RIAA and it's ilk. It's bound to get uglier.

i think it should be the other way around. we should get paid for having to listen to kenny G.

Undeath -
That's because they don't have to spill 3/4 of their money to the labels, which then give freely as they have recieved to the gods of the RIAA. All the money they recieve from anything goes straight to them.

This is insane. I'm just about sure there's not going to be an end to it. At least while the RIAA is still around. The only hands that are getting bitten is theirs, and that's because they're not getting all the moolah they desire. The love of money is the root of all types of evil, Cary-Sue. Remember that!

We want people to stop engaging in the theft of music so that people can go on making it. This is a terrible thing where people are biting the hands that make the music and destroying the very music that they want to continue to be created," said RIAA president Cary Sherman.

I can not belive this crap, next thing you know you will have to have a license to listen to the dang radio, or watch mtv, or listen to music at a friends house. I am sick of hearing the statement that we are stealing the music, if the riaa wants there product so badly, they can have, I for one am not and will not buy it. do you hear me RIAA YOU are the thieves here, wanting money for any little thing you can get you f***** hands on!!!!!!!!
God this makes me angry to see this crap. And to all who do buy riaa product, remeber that artist is in it for the money, not the music. Buy indie, and the indie artist will love you for it.

What happened to codewarrior??

this sucks
it will make my dentist angry
and if my dentist is angry he won't be nice
and if he wont be nice then he'll not care about me
and if he wont care about me he'll hurt me when i go see him
and if he'll hurt me when i go see him i'll cry because i'm scared of my dentist anyway...

i hate stupid people like SOCAN...
i guess next they'll snatch you out of your car while you're driving down the road with your windows down playing your music...

hmmm..a world in headphones....

Tone it down a bit on the cursing, wood. I've had a few problems loading this page and I think that might be why.

And Haola, you can't do that in many states in the US. It's illegal in some states to drive with headphones on because they think it contributes to unattentive, distracted driving. So either way you're screwed.

this is true - so they'd rather us all die in car wrecks...

i'm so glad we are cared for...

Hmm seems that no one is safe from the long arm of the Music DICTATORs

Oh they care about YOU - YOUr wallet, YOUr checkbook, YOUr credit card, and YOUr cold hard cash. My, aren't we loved.

*rubs eyes* I'm not even going to comment on that article directly. I'm just going to let it stand on its own.

Oh crap! I listened to a cd twice while only paying for it once! I've even let people in my car listen cd's of mine! Shiver me timbers, you better come get me riaa.

I do have one question though.

What about when you call in customer support or something and they put you on hold - what's almost always waiting for you there? Some music to keep you from going braindead waiting for them! So is it now stealing to have music for your patrons to listen to while they're on hold? Wa†ch, that'll go soon too!!

what the heck is happening here. does the music industry plan to hand out ear plugs and sue anyone who dare to take them out of their ears and listen to unauthorized music. arrest and sue people for whistling or singing. This is not stealing!!!

It's like someone said in another topic, the one about warranty. RIAA wants you to buy the music and freely give them your money, but they don't want you to remove that plastic wrap and actually LISTEN to the music. Because - the horror! - you could actually not be the only pair of ears that could hear the music recorded on that CD!

That's what I think the RIAA wants. They either want every person who wants to hear a CD to listen to THEIR copy of that CD - a copy they bought from the RIAA, not a burned copy of course - and THEIR copy ONLY.

ZeonMusic

Sorry about the cursing, will watch it, but this really made me angry. I know it is no excuse but man, can you belive this.

So according to the Music Dictators playing CDs at (lets say a private party) would be breaking the law as well. If that is the case than I think we will all get sued. Run for the hills.........

No prob, wood. Made me angry too; heck, I think it was reading through your post that lowered my stress level a little, to see I wasn't the only one that pissed off.

LXI -
That's the way it looks from my end of the table. And considering I live in an apartment with three roommates, two stereos (one mine and one another roomie's) and a PC with lots and lots of MP3s on it, music is playing in every room almost constantly, and we continually borrow and swap CDs amongst ourselves and our friends. Guess the RIAA better raid the premesis! (sp?)

Seriously, this is all insanely out of hand.

All the musicians who record music solely for the purpose of making money should be lined up and shot.

If you don't want people to listen to it, why are you wasting your time?

gdZiemann that was harsh. To some it is a job. Not to step on your toes or anything. There has to be a way for them to make money for what they do. It is not all money grubing A holes. There are a few that spoil it for the rest. But I would moslty say the Labels are to blame. And no harm meant gdZiemann

I guess they'll have to start suing people that get fat systems in their cars, because when they drive down the street, you can hear their music, so I guess the riaa will now fine them $150,000 for per son per person on the street that heard it. They can team up with the photo enforced lights, so they can just get their plates and send 'em a supeona.

I guess also, now every college frat that has a party will also be liable for this. Not to mention everytime someone has people over and plays music. this is getting to be so ridiculous i'm almost starting to think this stuff is a spoof, but sadly not

tyler

This is ridiculous. I hope they keep doing it until these absolutely ridiculous requests and accusations and the public attitude of 'what the hell?' eventually gets all tied up right in the middle of this huge legal mess that is unfolding. If that happens the RIAA is extra screwed.

Doctor's can't play CD's because they are stealing...

Someone mentioned before that if you play a song for a friend is it stealing. We now know the answer. If someone walks into your home or office while you are playing music, you are liable for 150,000 dollars for each set of ears that heard it. Thank you RIAA for introducing legislation to my sense of hearing.

Ever notice how every restaurant has those horrible birthday songs where they clap now? For those who aren't aware yet, it's a violation of copyright law to come out and actually sing happy birthday.

Our culture is absolutely worthless, and California isn't the only part of it that needs to fall into the ocean.

they are killing their goose that layed the golden egg.

I wonder how many goverment buildings have background music going. Once it starts hitting the families, friends, and other "campaign" contributers, it will really start making waves. Congress is soon going to have to make some changes to give the population and business sector some relief from this pack of wolves they created.

does that mean my daughter can get sued when she has a slumber party with her friends? Oh my gosh I didn't realize I've raised such a mennace to society

This is all going to backfire on the RIAA and the labels big time. This has to stop. And I mean NOW BEFORE IT GETS WORSE!!!

WOW! AMAZING! I was humming a song in my head at work today...Is that stealing? Will I get sued? Will we all become Winstons (1984)?

first of all, when i decide to visit the dentist or doctor, its because i trust them to take care of me, NOT because they play music. this is absurd. sue p2p users? maybe. sue doctors? no!

secondly, if they start to sue everyone for everything and anything, everyone will see what we see. they'll become one big joke and people will stop buying their products.

-a lighter wallet is mightier than the pen and sword-

gdZeimann has it right. What he stated isn't harsh at all. He said those that make music SOLELY for profit. True music is made from the heart and wants to be heard for that reason. This manufactured crap has no heart only $$$$ in their eyes. George, you round 'em up - I got the .45 waiting.

Reckon I'd better stop playing my car stereo at 200 decibels...the RIAA would consider that a "public performance" and wanna charge me for it.

Sheesh...what next? They sue clubs for Karaoke night...want $$$ for elevator music...terrorizing little girls and grandfathers...watch, come Christmas, and see if carollers aren't popped...

Where does the ridiculousness stop?? should television companies charge you extra fees for when you invite your friends over to watch tv with you? Should Video stores ask you before hand of how many people will be viewing this movie with you and charge you more when more people watch it?? When i purchase and item I expect to have FULL control over it.. I buy it, I choose what i want to do with it.. otherwise you're basically just renting the damn thing.. When I buy A CD I EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO CONVERT IT TO MP3 FORMAT, LISTEN TO IT ON MY COMP AND OR MP3 PLAYER, AND SHAAAAARE IT IF I F-ING WANT TO!! OTHERWISE YOU MIGHT AS WELL SAY I"M RENTING A CD WHEN IM PURCHASING IT!! besides mp3 isn't an exact duplicate of a wav file from a cd!! And you know what??? If CD's were 5 bucks a piece i would be buying them like crazy, BUT NOOOOO, the RIAA can't do that and realize that the value of their product has declined because of competition from P2P apps.. THE RIAA is a MONOPOLY, so I understand why they would be so pissed when they finally got some competition.. This day of competition had to come anyways, so we could finally see the RIAA as the hateful monsters that they really are anyhow!! While we're at it, I think Cable companies should sue satellite companies for ***INFRINGING*** on their product which is a slight variation on what they have to offer the public!! It's the same thing!! Satellite is more advanced and easier technology than cable yet the same thing is being offered... So why doesn't the RIAA make a website of all of their songs at a flat rate for downloads?? sounds fair to me, but I will never ever buy another RIAA product even if the god damn thing is given to me.. the only use i have for an RIAA CD is slitting Cary shermans or that ROSEN Biotch's throat with it!! f*ck the RIAA, if you want to play rough, we'll play rough you B*tches!!

*sigh* So... How far will this go? Over in England, you have to pay a license fee for your television/receive television broadcasts. Do you suppose that someone might be dreaming up plans for a license fee for receiving radio broadcasts? If I'm sitting on my porch playing a radio loud enough for other people walking by to hear it, would I responsible to pay a license fee for a public performance of copyrighted works?

I better not say that too loudly. Cary-Sue might get a stiffy if he heard it.

heck, and most of the people say that the dentists are the sadists How wrong they are! The real ones are the 'ASSociations' of both musicians and recording industry!!! What do they want? They have their royalties paid, in radio fees, in the price of a cd ... In some cntries, they even demand TAXI drivers to pay (they refuse, or say that they will sing on their own ...) What the HELL those folks think??

As far as CD sales go I boycotted so that's about 25 cd's a year they wont get money from, I spread the word and all 20 of my friends who purchase about a combined 400-500 a year before this will no longer buy because i've been spreading the word to them and even random people on the streets... I feel proud of myself that I'm F-Ucking The RIAA!!! What comes around goes around!!! For Christmas I'll by Cary sherman some knee pads cause he'll be sucking all of our D*icks before we're done!!

PS, a lot of my friends come over to my house and burn cd's for free.. I not only condone it, I encourage it... Providing my buddies with cds for 4 years now.. Keep on burning em up!!

I'm simply amazed . . . it isn't enough to buy the overpriced CD, they have to pay to play them now?

I find that really funny. My doctor is also a jazz musician. You only get to hear one artist's music in his office, and he isn't stealing it.

Everyone should call local businesses and claim to be someone from the RIAA informing them that they are violating the law by playing hold music and such. You could say that they will be contacted from certain legal parties in a few days. If you record the calls you could post them here. I would love to hear some of the responses. It would also show how insane all this is....just a thought.

That copyright crap is getting to be an exercise of absurdities. I'm going to print this out and show it to every doctor, dentist, and store manager I can get in contact with.

Zeon..pfft...Women on cell phones scare me ten times worse than people with head phones, at least with headphones they have both hands on the wheel.

PunkTiger, over in england if you do not have a TV license, you have to have a radio license, since the radio license is included in the TV license. You gotta love how the BBC is funded... pretty screwed up. And the NHS is out of money over there, ghee I wonder....

I suppose the next thing they'll do is sue the surgeons that play music to keep calm to. I for one hope this doesn't happen. If I should ever have to have surgery, then I'd want whoever's performing it to be calm and if music calms them, then let 'em listen to it.

To those that say we'll need a license to listen to the radio, that's probably their next target. They'll force everyone to switch over to XM radio since that means we'd all be paying $9.95 a month to listen to their music.

It's like how the movie industry is trying to force the switch to HDTV and services like TiVo. With TiVo, they get their drug money from subscribers every month. And when someone buys an HDTV loaded with copy protections, they get more drug money to spend on such films as "Gigli" and such programs as "Joe Millionaire" and "The Bachelor".

napsterboy, now there's a scary thought! Kenny G! LOL

RythmMethod, especially when they are tailgating you in some rather large heavy SUV!
Makes me change lanes faster than a formula one driver.

Wonder what's next? Suing bands? Playing RIAA-related cover tunes in a band could be risky. The RIAA or other "music police" organizations could raid rehearsal rooms and charge $150.000 per band member per covered song, because they'll say that covering songs = unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted works = stealing...

If I never heard music I wouldn't buy it.(not that I would anyway! Boycotting, don't ya know.)
I think the big labels should pay doctors and dentists etc... , for exposing us to the crap in the first place.

I can't even think of the words to describe what I just read. All these people still buying RIAA music still don't get it. Take a minute and write down the rules that the music companies sets down for listening to music and you decide if the people in the file sharing community are nuts or not. I came up with a few "hypothetical" instances of breaking the RIAA's rules.

1) Can't whistle your favorite tune when walking down the street
2) Can't sing campfire songs
3) No elevator music (like it's good anyways)
4) Medical community can't play music to sooth there patients
5) Can't play music at the beach
6) Can't listen to music in public buildings (overhead music)
7) Can't play music in the car when going on a family trip (only one person can listen at a time)
Won't be able to play (Here comes's the bride) at a chruch for your wedding.
9) Won't be able to hear music at a wedding reception, confirmation, etc..
10) Won't be able to play music at a school dance or at graduation.
11) Won't be able to hear music at a arobic's club.
12) Won't be able to sing Happy Birthday
13) Can't play music at a dance club (wouldn't be able to afford the royalty rates)
14) Won't be able to play music from a juke box
15) Won't be able to play music in a restaraunt or a diner
16) Won't be able to play music at carnival's, amusement parks, etc...
17) On a hot summer's day you won't be able to put the top down, roll down your windows and crank the music up.
1 Won't be able to sing the "rock a by baby song" to your newborn
19) music class in school would be out of the question

According to the RIAA, these are the things you shouldn't be able to buy or use:

1) mp3 players
2) mp3 files ( RIAA says it's poor quality but why are they now selling it?)
3) cd burners ( can't make copies for your own personal use)
4) boom boxes ( any sound heard over a certain radius you have to pay royalties)
5) dj equipment (refer to above)
6) computers
7) broadband
7) musical equipment ( you might play a rendition of someone else's song)
file sharing programs ( does this mean networking is out of the question?)

Like I said these are all hypothectical instances and by no means are all true facts. I just used the rules that the RIAA has set down and applied them to my everday life. It just proves a point how rediculous rules can get when you have a monopoly controlling the marketplace.

If I am wrong about this or if you can add something feel free to state your comments.

for one, I think it's fairly naive to think that indie artist are in it only for the music, and that major label artists want only money. If indie artists were only in it for the music, they wouldn't be producing and selling albums. And if major label artists were only in it for money, they wouldn't be making albums for a label that eats a a large percentage of their profit.

~Quote~
2) Can't sing campfire songs
~Quote~

Actually the RIAA already sued Girl Scouts of America over this.

And WON.