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The rights to ring should be preserved
Originally published 10:02 p.m., June 30, 2009
Updated 11:34 a.m., July 1, 2009
Sometimes I’ll be sitting in a restaurant, enjoying a meal, when suddenly it sounds like Snoop Dogg decided to come and have dinner beside me.
Or, I’ll be shopping in the grocery store, and have to think twice to realize that Miley Cyrus isn’t really filling up her cart one aisle over.
With cell phone’s abilities to play more musical ring tones, I’m sure that scenario rings true for all.
Whether it’s Garth Brooks playing a tune in your own pocket or the guy walking his dog next to you on the street, you likely know those musical sounds all too well.
But, what I bet you didn’t know is that you actually were witnessing (or performing) a public performance.
At least that’s what the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers said when the company filed a suit against AT&T, claiming every time a musical ring tone goes off in public “it is obviously a performance.”
And, it’s a performance ASCAP claims is a violation of a copyright law. In this suit, the group insists cell phone carriers not only should have to pay the downloading fees they already do for ring tones, but they need to pay additional royalties for when those songs make their public debuts — by ringing.
I’ve been guilty of letting my “Killing Me Softly” Fugees ring tone go off in public. I’ve been guilty of singing along, and occasionally (when I’m by myself) I’ll even do a little dance to go along with it.
But, what I have not been guilty of, ASCAP, is serving as the liaison for musical performances. At least I’d like to believe I haven’t.
Sure, ring tones can be annoying in public. They can be distracting in places they shouldn’t ring.
But, having a phone in public, period, is a distraction. It’s a distraction, though, I think we all have the right to place upon ourselves.
Those who choose to put musical songs as their ring tones already pay for them. Why should we be charged more for the 15-second clip?
Why should we be charged, even further, for giving the music industry a little bit of advertising?
There are plenty of battles ASCAP could choose to pick, but this is one that needs to be dropped.
In the spirit of the holiday, ASCAP, “Let freedom ring.”
*A copy of the lawsuit for this column was found from a blog, Telephony Online.
Holli Keaton is news editor of The Messenger. She can be reached via email at holli.keaton@troymessenger.com.
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Comments
Posted by uglydog65 (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are some place where cell phones are inappropriate, like churches, funerals, hospitals, trains, planes, automobiles, stores, movies, theaters, museums, football, baseball, basketball, pool, card, golf, tennis, badminton, dominoes, checkers and chest games, swimming pools (unless under 3 ft. water), doctor offices, dentist offices, restaurants, cemeteries, schools, fishing, hunting, bird watching, girl watching and any such places. Cell phones should be allowed at shooting ranges, where it could be ruled a justified shooting.
Posted by elvis2 (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Have to agree with you uglydog65 . Nothing angers me more than sitting at a traffic light for three to five minutes then when the light changes no one can move because someone in the front is engrossed in a conversation on a cell phone.
Posted by YEM (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That is ridiculous that you sat at a red light for 3-5 minutes. I don't believe you. A green light doesn't last that long.
And as for the column, you only want it because you don't want to pay extra. Why not let it just ring?
Posted by elvis2 (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YEM , why would I not sit at a traffic light 3-5 minutes??
I happen to live in a county with over 150,000 people in it and believe me with that much traffic some lights are 3-5 minutes long . At least according to my watch and clock in my car .
Posted by BeachGirl (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i agree mostly with uglydog..sporting events are fair game since lets face it there usually loud anyway..the rest there is always a silent feature on every phone..and restaurants i dont see a probem with it unless youre in a fancy one which troy doesnt even have...I live away from my fam and if im sitting in olive garden and the mom calls im talking to her, if the neighbor table doesnt like it then ah well dont listen...lol
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