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Charity Forced to Pay Copyright Fee So Kids Can Sing Carols

torrentfreak.com — Christmas is known world-wide as a time for sharing, a time for giving. But for one charity, instead of Santa arriving with gifts, the copyright police turned up demanding money. Why? Because the charity allows children to sing carols on the premises and their kitchen radio is a little loud. You couldn't make it up.

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  • sedek89, on 12/09/2007, -0/+336dugg for being pure evil
    • Pbanta86, on 12/09/2007, -0/+40seriously absolutely insane, I want to know how they feel when they go into a charity asking for money. I would quit my job if I was forced to do that.
    • Ajajadude, on 12/09/2007, -0/+24One can only hope that this causes some terrible backlash against PRS' members.

      Anyway, this is another case where the copyright laws only affect those with no intention of trampling over the "rights" of the music owners.
      • nicholai, on 12/10/2007, -0/+2Copyright laws are abused over 99 percent of the time. They hardly ever help the actual artists. I would like to see all copyright laws removed because the concept of owning an idea is insane.
    • freddo, on 12/09/2007, -1/+10What I don't really understand is why such peoples/lawyers still exist... After all it's the internet era, it's not that hard to find instructions about how to make a bomb... perhaps they've not sued and made angry the right peoples, or perhaps they already employ them... Yet i'm still wondering what would happen if a plane crashed on the MPAA/RIAA/WhateverAA buildings? JOICE! peoples dancing and singing copyrighted songs around the fire? Perhaps a plane crashing there is a little too much, but if you read this and are selling sandwiches in front of their office, why not put some of your own copyrighted feces in the thing, they won't die (see 2 girls 1cup), but my bet is that they could be taking a few days off, and that's what i'd call helping the community! After all, they sell a lot of *****, it wouldn't be that bad to make them eat it...
      • Siraf, on 12/09/2007, -0/+4best comment about RIAA ever.
        • freddo, on 12/10/2007, -0/+3Thanks ;-)
          On the other side I sometimes wish the "dirtyAA" industry would get more power from the authorities, you know that thing if you pay enough for it, it will let you do whatever you want, peoples are used to call it Justice. We could call it "Just Ice" when we see how they handle children downloading music: they're just indifferent, frigid, they do not try to understand, they punish without looking for the consequences.
          After all copying a song is a crime, if you'd killed the MPAA/RIAA/trucmuchAA director, it could cost you less time in prison... Killing someone isn't as important as stealing the last Michael Jackson album, speaking about Mike, it's for the kid's sake ~ of course. They made the rules, my guess is that at one point they'll have to confront them in some way.
          Sometimes I wish they would have so much power that they could enforce DRM on every computer on the planet. That would be fun... nobody could listen or copy what they call "their artwork". In a black-hole effect they would suddenly be wiped from the surface of the planet, no one would ever listen to what they have the pretension to call "Music", perhaps they'll end up selling those between themselves, a declining society, whose fate is to die, alone. That's what happens if you don't share and stay a ******* egoist.
          But no, this is not the world we're living in. They're the same, the one that sells you content is also the one selling you a program to copy it. See how the iphone, nintendo ds, psp, just to name a few, are all vulnerable to copies or free use. This isn't because they made a bad work, no, this is on purpose. They know they'll sell more if peoples are able to make copies or do what they want with the device. Not only they know that, but entire markets worth billions of dollars can change from that.
          And now, nobody talks about it anymore, but when you buy a blank cd/dvd/hd you pay a tax that goes to those peoples. If you're not paying it, I am. And in no time you'll pay it too. You pay for watching TV, for listening radio, and you also pay for a lot of other things you're not even aware of, for the stupid music you can listen in your supermarket for example... We're not the one who steal, they are the crooks.

      • smacksaw, on 12/10/2007, -0/+2No, you don't want to commit acts of terrorism against the MPAA or RIAA. They'd just invade Ohio and take all of the musical instruments and video cameras.
        • freddo, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1In no way this is terrorism when we talk about removing the life of the music industry, as they say, they're struggling and will soon die because of piracy... let's just call this euthanasia, and take for granted that most of us would be proud to pull the power cord ;-)
    • Berkana, on 12/09/2007, -0/+31Larry Lessig warned about this kind of abuse in his TED talk:
      How Creativity is Being Strangled by the Law:
      http://www.digg.com/tech_news/How_Creativity_Is_Be ...
      (Digg it up! This should be heard by all.)
      • freddo, on 12/09/2007, -0/+3a really great talk, as usual on TED, i've watched it last week and found that it was really interesting, not only for the fact that the law is strangling the creativity of the young, but also because it suggest that artists should leave more liberty to our children, and also for private use. Antoher really great idea in his speech is the second point he makes about companies sharing, when he talks about more-free and less-free content.
    • Berkana, on 12/09/2007, -0/+15Actually, digg this one: it already has 57 diggs:
      Larry Lessig at TED: How Creativity is Being Strangled by the Law:
      http://www.digg.com/tech_news/Talks_Larry_Lessig_H ...
      • Rickler, on 12/09/2007, -0/+4Even if it has 100 diggs it won't make it to the front page because it was posted 33 days ago. This is how digg works sadly.
    • huba81, on 12/09/2007, -1/+2I'm speechless. This is totally absurd.
    • eschompthis, on 12/09/2007, -0/+2dont give these bastards a ***** dime. Let them take charities to court and be exposed to the media for their evilness
  • russianmonkey, on 12/09/2007, -1/+147This is just ridiculous.

    Grinches!
    • MacSuxWindozSux, on 12/10/2007, -0/+3Definitely doesn't happen in Canada.
    • frieddonuts, on 12/10/2007, -0/+2I know that at the store I am a cashier at, we play Christmas music throughout the place, and definitely don't pay a licensing fee. I didn't know there was such a fee, or is this a British thing?
    • FinalSword22, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1Hey kids! Let's sing the ***** song!
    • Azerael, on 12/10/2007, -0/+3For every charity they sue, I'm going to download 10 albums.
  • listed, on 12/09/2007, -3/+72seriously *****'em.. a bunch of greedy scumbags !
    • shaun1018, on 12/10/2007, -0/+5Yeah, ***** kids singing their carols without paying royalties!
    • Reaper2806, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1I can't believe you people. Shouting and moaning about capitalist scum etc. I mean hell, I agree with you it's disgraceful, but there are people here demanding copyright laws be changed or abolished, as if someone reading this has the power and inclination to do so when they come into the office Monday morning. If you care so much, do something substantial about it.
  • Trafo, on 12/09/2007, -29/+5I hope @ this x-mas the Grinch comes, and will F the "copyright police" (aka. Aholes) in their F A.
    Amen.
    • aspec, on 12/09/2007, -0/+12If you wouldn't say it in real life, shame on you for implying it. Your mom told you that it's the same thing as saying it. You don't want me to tell you mom, do you?

    • legendxx, on 12/09/2007, -0/+9that reeked of myspace/youtube
  • OnEyM, on 12/09/2007, -1/+87Demanding money from charity organizations is so kewl... The police are like robin hoods vice versa ;) A+
    • Elranzer, on 12/09/2007, -0/+15So they're the sheriffs of Nottingham?
  • roflcpt3r, on 12/09/2007, -1/+181It seems the RIAA has a role model
  • ghostlywind, on 12/09/2007, -3/+167I think this has just proved that Christmas is now all about capitalism.
    • Joomal, on 12/09/2007, -21/+16Seriously. I'm Canadian and I'm not part of any type of religion nor ever will. I do not celebrate Xmas, Halloween, Easter, or take part in any of that crap for myself. I do in fact go to family xmas parties because my family grew up with xmas and I think they would disown me if I ever decided to skip out.

      These holidays are based around religion garbage, and have been transformed into a capitalism.

      • Professr, on 12/09/2007, -4/+24OMG, we can't have anyone enjoying semi-religious festive holidays like everyone else, can we? Giving gifts to people and donating goods and money to people in need simply has NO redeeming value whatsoever. I agree, it's, like, total religious garbage, mmmkay?
        • naonao, on 12/10/2007, -0/+3Yes, let's not have a joyous occasion once a year that everyone can take part in and give gifts to their loved ones. Sometimes a little capitalism is a good thing (obviously not in reference to this article).
      • scooterfish, on 12/09/2007, -0/+27What does your being Canadian have to do with it?
        • manikfox, on 12/09/2007, -11/+2I dunno, but I am Canadian and agree with him
        • troy1of2, on 12/09/2007, -9/+5I'm not Canadian and I agree with your agreeing with him.
        • Joomal, on 12/09/2007, -4/+2It has a lot to do with it. If I were from China would it make much impact by me saying 'I don't celebrate Xmas' ?

          Letting you know that I am Canadian notifies you of the fact that I was indeed brought up with Christian beliefs, or live in a Country founded on Christianity but due to the invalidness of religion, I choose to ignore these crazy holidays.

          Valid question, I just question your questioning of it. Don't people think far enough these days?
          • ostracize, on 12/10/2007, -0/+3If you took that part out entirely, everyone would assume you are American which would not draw away from your point at all.
    • XXXXXXXXXXXXXX, on 12/09/2007, -4/+12no crap. Biggest selling season of the year, who do you think is profiting off the Christmas spirit?
  • TheWhoHa, on 12/09/2007, -1/+33That was the last tea room in the UK I could spin electro house tracks in.
    Those old ladies were my friends, dammit.
  • Alix7, on 12/09/2007, -3/+60***** the RIAA?
  • doshindude, on 12/09/2007, -1/+56Aren't those songs supposed to be public domain anyway????
    • ssj2119, on 12/09/2007, -0/+3That's what I thought - apparently not
    • redrob, on 12/10/2007, -2/+4from the article: " the only way to avoid paying to sing the carols is if the kids are told to stick to old songs which are out of copyright.” So it would seem that traditional carols are not the subject of dispute, but more relatively recent Christmas songs are. I'm not commenting on the rights or wrongs of the situation, however the title is misleading.
  • completerobot, on 12/09/2007, -7/+141You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
    You really are a heel.
    You're as cuddly as a cactus,
    You're as charming as an eel.
    Mr. Grinch.


    You're a bad banana
    With a greasy black peel.


    You're a monster, Mr. Grinch.
    Your heart's an empty hole.
    Your brain is full of spiders,
    You've got garlic in your soul.
    Mr. Grinch.


    I wouldn't touch you, with a
    thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole.


    You're a vile one, Mr. Grinch.
    You have termites in your smile.
    You have all the tender sweetness
    Of a seasick crocodile.
    Mr. Grinch.


    Given the choice between the two of you
    I'd take the seasick crockodile.


    You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch.
    You're a nasty, wasty skunk.
    Your heart is full of unwashed socks
    Your soul is full of gunk.
    Mr. Grinch.


    The three words that best describe you,
    are, and I quote: "Stink. Stank. Stunk."


    You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch.
    You're the king of sinful sots.
    Your heart's a dead tomato splot
    With moldy purple spots,
    Mr. Grinch.


    Your soul is an apalling dump heap overflowing
    with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable
    rubbish imaginable,
    Mangled up in tangled up knots.


    You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch.
    With a nauseaus super-naus.
    You're a crooked jerky jockey
    And you drive a crooked horse.
    Mr. Grinch.


    You're a three decker saurkraut and toadstool
    sandwich
    With arsenic sauce.
    • JoeVet, on 12/09/2007, -1/+77Oh great! Now those b@stards are going to close down Digg.
    • Ajajadude, on 12/09/2007, -0/+63That'll be $20 for every person who reads your comment, please.
    • naonao, on 12/10/2007, -0/+8Ah, memories, nostalgia, better get my wallet out.
    • daEvan, on 12/10/2007, -0/+12Am I the only one who actually sang as I read that comment?
    • mysedai, on 12/10/2007, -0/+5You gonna pay for that? /sarcasm
    • SvenGeiss, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1haha i sang too.. thats friggin great! thats got to be the best reply to this story hands down.
  • Evolutuon, on 12/09/2007, -2/+60Pretty heinous if you ask me....The Happy Birthday song is copyrighted too.
    • JoeVet, on 12/09/2007, -1/+45Incredibly Warner is charging $10,000 for the Birthday song to be played in films. That's just unbelievable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Birthday_to_You
      • psevium, on 12/09/2007, -0/+4There's ways around it though
        "What day is today, it's Nibbler's birthday ... "
        heh
    • bingobongony, on 12/09/2007, -19/+2Why shouldn't it be? Someone wrote it.
      • RevEng, on 12/09/2007, -0/+13Who? When? Are they still alive? Copyright is a means to ensuring an artist benefits from their works, not that an infamous corporation has another excuse to charge exorbitant prices for something that everybody in the world already knows.
        • mal1964, on 12/09/2007, -4/+2I'm not being a smart ass but bing doesn't need to know that, it is what it is.
        • bingobongony, on 12/10/2007, -3/+1So, if everyone in the world knows a song, and the writer dies suddenly after wriuting it, it should be free for all?

          Clearly yuou know that you will never reate ANYTHING of value in your entire life. It is nice to have such low expectations of yourself.
          • nicholai, on 12/10/2007, -0/+3It is clear that you will never be "wriuting" anything of value in your life because you can't even spell or as you would say "reate".
        • andycr512, on 12/10/2007, -0/+2"So, if everyone in the world knows a song, and the writer dies suddenly after wriuting it, it should be free for all?"

          Uh, duh? The only person who "has a right" (which is debatable) to profit off of it is dead. Who the heck should get the money?!
        • goldfishey, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1Usually with copyright (paticularly books, but probably music also) the creator owns the copyright which has a life span of x amount of years. If the creator dies, the copyright is included in the estate and is disposed of acordingly as per the will governing the estate. To the best of my knowledge though, once the lifespan of the copyright is expired it can be renewed by forking out x amount of dollars so it goes on.

          So for example, shakespeares works are still under copyright even though he is long long dead.

          Holding a copyright for the happy birthday song seems a bit mercenary though, I don't know of the top of my head when it was created or by who. - but still.....
    • mal1964, on 12/09/2007, -0/+31If you notice at red lobster, olive garden, chile's, or any other large restaurant chain, they all have their own happy birthday song.
      • dasdef, on 12/09/2007, -0/+6im reminded of that one seinfeld episode with elaine in her office 'get well get well soon we want you to get well!'
        • mal1964, on 12/09/2007, -1/+2I don't know why but you posted that i thought of this. don't ask
          Greg Focker: Oh, dear God, thank you, you are such a good God to us. A kind and gentle and accommodating God, and we thank You oh sweet, sweet Lord of hosts for the smörgåsbord You have so aptly laid at our table this day, and each day, by day, day by day, by day oh dear Lord three things we pray to love Thee more dearly, to see Thee more clearly, to follow Thee more nearly, day, by day, by day. Amen.
          • ostracize, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1And they borrowed that from "Godspell".
    • mal1964, on 12/09/2007, -0/+11Happy 5 years old day son!
    • rancidpony, on 12/10/2007, -1/+2Actually it is just the music that is copyrighted. Not the words.
  • Chaoticfist, on 12/09/2007, -1/+94I no longer feel bad about downloading a torrent called the 1000 songs of Christmas. I was even thinking about going out and buying a bunch of cds. But wtf......***** them. I think instead i will donate the money to a charity.
  • CaptainAO, on 12/09/2007, -0/+55Words do not describe how wrong this is.
  • mCanada, on 12/09/2007, -2/+66TPB: The Only Place Where Christmas Really Exists!
    • stklaw, on 12/10/2007, -0/+3TPB: The Only Place Where Every Day is Christmas!
      • goldfishey, on 12/10/2007, -2/+2TPB - The Back Paddock?
        A little help for the culturally unaware here?
        • nastajus, on 12/10/2007, -0/+2involves torrents
          • goldfishey, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1[slaps forehead] oh of course! I feel so stupid now.
      • nicholai, on 12/10/2007, -0/+2The Pirate Bay is a torrent site.
  • Kronos6948, on 12/09/2007, -0/+49I thought most Xmas songs were public domain?
    • JoeVet, on 12/09/2007, -3/+17All songs are copyrighted for eternity. Where have you been? Better not have a birthday party in a public place or go around a singing carols in your neighborhood anymore.
    • aWombat, on 12/09/2007, -1/+11Not true. 80 years after death of writer.
      • boran, on 12/09/2007, -0/+18and when that time comes near they lobby congress for another twenty.
      • Thornhilll, on 12/10/2007, -0/+180 years after writer's death *where*? Remember this is the internet, we have no idea where you are, so that was pretty much meaningless.
        • dgendreau, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1Oh dont worry, wherever you are, I'm sure the industry is lobbying to bring the same sort of laws to you. Its what they do.
  • mongushu, on 12/09/2007, -0/+82if not to be heard by the public, what the hell is music for?

    this is what happens when the distribution and valuation of music is left to non-musicians.

    ***** the copyright police. They are ruining the essence of music and criminalizing our technology and creative uses of the music we love and know.
    • bingobongony, on 12/09/2007, -13/+1If not to be driven by the public, what the hell are Porches for?
      I guess by your logic they should be free.
      • Dunedain, on 12/09/2007, -1/+4What kind of Porch are you driving? Is the house mobile too?
    • Tahiri, on 12/09/2007, -0/+1Lawyers can't sue when you when you let someone else ride with you
  • Inoeth, on 12/09/2007, -1/+22That is really friggin ridiculous. That is truly evil and killing every meaning of Christmas and Charity... And then they wonder why they are hated...
  • syroncoda, on 12/09/2007, -0/+16i thought christian religious music was open and free to sing? they've been going door to door singing for years every christmas so why now of all times do the copyright police show up and demand money for such a trivial thing? WHEN THE RIAA IS LOSING. so its time for dirty tactics. all i can say is, if you care about standing up for what is right, stand up and spit in their eye.
    • Professr, on 12/09/2007, -0/+2shut up man, they'll hear you! ever heard of pleading the 5th? this is basically confessing in a public forum! the riaa has eyes everywhere...
    • sfacets, on 12/09/2007, -0/+1Carols haven't been religious for Yonks.
    • codecomposer, on 12/11/2007, -0/+0The licenses for most commercially recorded and produced Christian religious songs are given out by the CCLI (ccli.com). Most larger churches have agreements with them to be able to perform them publicly. CCLI is generally a pretty easygoing organization from my experience, and would not care about a few Christmas songs sung by the churches without licensing agreements. Unfortunately, quite a few Christmas songs are not under their jurisdiction, so they have no control over the issue.
  • bdpf, on 12/09/2007, -0/+2ho! Ho! HO! get real England........
  • Evildudetx, on 12/09/2007, -10/+22Sorry, but you brits are *****. Not to mention the whole license for a TV thing? Talk about governement overstepping their bounds a bit......
    • frazw, on 12/09/2007, -3/+15The TV license gives us non-partisan, advert free, TV which is accountable to the public. I used to hate the fact that I had to pay it but seeing the American media in action I am so glad the BBC exists and is regulated.
      And come on this is real bad but do you really think the RIAA is any better? They are probably kicking themselves for not thinking of it first.
      • nicholai, on 12/10/2007, -0/+3The BBC should just charge a fee to the people that want to purchase their channel like HBO. The concept of being taxed for a service like this is insane.
      • bosssmiley, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1The BBC nonpartisan? As if! Their news dept are a bunch of unreconstructed Lefties (as evinced by the infamous "We...I mean Labour are in the lead" gaffe last election night).
        British licence fee pays for the BBC, but you have to have one even if you only watch the commercial channels. Talk about an unjust impost.
        Agree with nicholai above
    • TheDiggerz, on 12/09/2007, -2/+13The TV license goes to the BBC, not the government and as a result we get several digital channels, countless radio stations, web services, etc. All 100% ad free.
      • byrdgang, on 12/09/2007, -0/+4We almost get the same thing with NPR and PBS, but we're not directly paying for either one. No ads on either NPR or PBS.
        • sanotaan, on 12/09/2007, -0/+1our local PBS has ads all the time, and not to mention ***** pledge drives. the TV license scheme sounds a bit like cable television instead. i understand that you're fined if you're caught watching TV w/no license (as you are prosecuted if you are stealing cable), but taking from PBS w/out giving seems to be SOP
      • naonao, on 12/10/2007, -0/+3Yeah but we don't have a choice, we can't pay for those channels if we want. If I could I'd not pay my license and happily live without the BBC's fine programming or lack there-of.
    • JoeVet, on 12/09/2007, -1/+4The situation is no better n the United States where warner music can sue you for singing the happy birthday song.
    • Veraiste, on 12/09/2007, -1/+2I think the license is just more honest (or direct, whatever you want to call it). Taxes in the US go to all sorts of places anyways. I'm sure some goes to public television and soon we'll be paying for rebates on digital to analog converters for everyone..
    • justinjstark, on 12/09/2007, -1/+1It sounds similar to the United States government taxing us for PBS. The big difference is we have to pay for the programming even if we don't own a tv.
      • Fantom05, on 12/10/2007, -0/+2Yeah, but I don't think you're paying $260 a year for PBS...
    • derjames, on 12/09/2007, -0/+4Yes... 135 GBP/year and only *****'n crap in the TV...
    • bananaman300, on 12/10/2007, -1/+0brits are *****?
      a. it's not the people of Britain's fault that the copyright police were assholes
      b. and America's government has never had any ***** like that?
    • Pikachelsea, on 12/10/2007, -0/+2lol at all the British people in denial about how pathetic it is to be forced to pay just for the right to have a TV in your home. Sorry, I'd rather have the ads and not have to pay for some stupid shows I will probably NEVER WATCH.
  • spyd3rweb, on 12/09/2007, -0/+46Support charity by downloading from piratebay this Christmas season.
  • XXXXXXXXXXXXXX, on 12/09/2007, -8/+12long live capitalism
    • tehbored, on 12/10/2007, -1/+2Normally I'd think that you're being sarcastic, but the Ron Paul avatar makes me think otherwise...
    • braeden0613, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1he's not a real ron paul supporter
  • Vorticity, on 12/09/2007, -0/+23So, ummm...does this mean that if I go down the street in London singing a song that I heard on the radio that I will get slapped with a huge fine for copyright infringement? Come on, even Metallica would say this has gone WAAAAAAY too far!
    • Thornhilll, on 12/10/2007, -0/+2Yes, it does. You'd be surprised how many countries have the same law.
    • goldfishey, on 12/10/2007, -1/+2Depends, if anyone makes money off you doing it - probably yes.
  • chicoer2001, on 12/09/2007, -1/+27Do cabbies need a license to play the radio?
    • Pilot85, on 12/09/2007, -0/+9I bet they do.
    • max420, on 12/09/2007, -1/+4And here I thought the radio stations paid licensing fee's for the right to broadcast music. Now you are saying the radio stations need to pay, and so do the listeners? Who wants to pay for Radio with its sub-par audio quality. Radio broadcast sound like ***** compared to most media formats available today. I mean it doesn't bother me, I never listen to the radio. I just think this is all insane.
    • headzoo, on 12/09/2007, -0/+2I think the whole thing is insane, and it's truly disgusting. That being said, the article never says the staff was listening to the public FM/AM radio. Only that they were listening to a radio. That could mean the staff was blasting the latest Britney Spears CD.

      I don't know how things work in the UK, but in The States a restaurant can play public FM/AM radio for the customers without any hassles. But if that restaurant plays a CD for the customers, they can get into trouble.

      Again, I don't condone the actions of PRS. But if we're going to bash a group, we should know all the facts.
  • paulnasca, on 12/09/2007, -4/+33Few years ago I had talks with many chri$tian music composers and I asked them to give their music free to make the message from the music to be heard by many people. I even talked to them about the open-source movement and how it spread, how the open-source (free software) programmers gave the their programs free (as in speech). They started to mock me (and the open-source program written by me).
    They (the christian music authors) claim that they sing for Jesus, Christmas, God, etc... But in reality is only all about money.
    Paul
    • redcard, on 12/09/2007, -1/+26I have a musician friend who moved here to Nashville to try to break into the industry. He was a Christian singer, loved God, and everything else.

      From just a YEAR in the scene , he basically decided to not do Christian music, and had serious doubts in his faith. Reason?

      These "Christian Musicians" do some of the hardest drugs, biggest parties, and most women as compared to the "rock and roll" musicians. My friend believed it was all real.. and then they took him to a party that involved tons of cocaine, plenty of cheap whores, and a ton of alcohol.

      • Elranzer, on 12/09/2007, -7/+6This is because "Christian" is Latin for "hypocrite"
      • codecomposer, on 12/11/2007, -0/+0While there are obviously some hypocrites out there, there are plenty of good, honest, humble christian musicians who really do only sing to worship.

        I know this because I know several semi-popular Christian band members pretty personally.
    • completerobot, on 12/09/2007, -18/+5Dugg down for "chri$tian".
      • docbob84, on 12/09/2007, -6/+6Funny, I dugg him UP for that very reason. If you don't think money is at the center of that religion, I want some of whatever drugs you're on.
        • completerobot, on 12/09/2007, -2/+6I'd offer you some, but common sense is really something that you need to find on your own.
        • reedatschool, on 12/09/2007, -3/+2Funny, common sense tells me that all Christian holidays are about money. I guess your common sense must involve ignoring the real world and believing that religion amounts to anything more than money, power, and control.

          • completerobot, on 12/09/2007, -1/+2All Christian holidays? Yeah, Christmas is obviously pretty materialistic these days. Maybe Easter too, to an extent. And I'm not saying that the religion is flawless, but I don't think that "money is at the center" of it.
          • dgendreau, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1CR: Money has always been at the center of it. Hmmm, how do we get all the poor people to toil their lives away farming for royalty while they sit back and bask in riches? We tell them that god made us king and that they will have a better life after this one. In the mean time, give all the fruits of your labor to the king and the church. Thats a good peasant....
    • Smegzor, on 12/09/2007, -6/+1Transferred your digg down back to you. Merry Kwanzaa!
  • Maddoktor2, on 12/09/2007, -1/+8This is an unconscionable and despicable act - for shame!
  • uziko, on 12/09/2007, -1/+10Usually every story like this I side with the law. Because a law is a law and if you don't like it don't get mad at the enforcers get mad at the lawmakers. But even I can't justify this. This is insane.

    Normally I would say well if it's wrong then get rid of the law. Copyright laws are good for obvious reasons, but to pursue this kind of illegal activity over Christmas music is just ***** ridiculous. I'm not saying it's not illegal, I'm just saying it's ridiculous.
    • nextyoyoma, on 12/09/2007, -0/+2The problem is copyright abuse. Copyrights exist to protect the idea-holder against those who would unfairly use his idea to make a profit, or to otherwise undermine him. People singing christmas carols does not undermine the copyright holder here, especially since most religious christmas music wasn't even written by the people who hold the copyright!
      • uziko, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1"Copyrights exist to protect the idea-holder against those who would unfairly use his idea to make a profit, or to otherwise undermine him"
        Totally untrue, copyrights exist for media, songs, games, programs, movies because the people that made those to begin with did so to make money.
        When a company puts $100,000,000 into the making of a game if everyone just downloaded it for free then they wouldn't have made it to begin with and there would be no games, movies, not as many songs, and very few programs. Learn what copyright is for, it's not for what you said it is.
        • init100, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1"copyrights exist for media, songs, games, programs, movies because the people that made those to begin with did so to make money."

          Copyright is automatic nowadays and protects works regardless of whether they were done to make money or not.
  • TheDiggerz, on 12/09/2007, -2/+19This is really crappy, there were some children singing their carols in the town square collecting for the local hospice, and the police moved them on and told them that they are violating copyright.

    Yep, nothing gets you in the Christmas spirit like telling children off for selling carols who were trying to help those less fortunate.
    • bingobongony, on 12/09/2007, -3/+5Sources for this story, please? And no..your imagination is not a valid source.
  • digghasnoethics, on 12/09/2007, -0/+9I think they are missing a trick

    I would guess most carols are public domain. Therefore the best approach would probably be to turn up outside the performing ripoff society and sing carols with the press in attendance, demanding the vile attacks were stopped.

    If that didn't work I'd suggest 3:00 in the morning outside the houses of the directors of the PRS, just long enough to wake them up. The 12 Nights of Christmas Sleeplessness for the parasites - after all, tis the season to be giving.
  • Pilot85, on 12/09/2007, -0/+5Who owns the copyright to happy birthday?!
    • max420, on 12/09/2007, -0/+3http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/birthday.asp
    • DiggChainey, on 12/09/2007, -0/+4 Hill, Mildred J., Hill, Patty Smith 1935
    • Cinaga, on 12/09/2007, -0/+3Warner Bros. does...the copyright doesn't expire in America until 2030. I guess this is why some people feel dorky or uncomfortable when singing that song. Because, we know the police might be around the corner pulling out their handcuffs and the lawyers sharping their pencils, ready to charge as the last note is sung!
      • TheMidnight, on 12/10/2007, -0/+5Or it could just be the song is annoying and uncomfortable to sing.
      • init100, on 12/10/2007, -0/+1Its copyright will never expire. The media industry will pass copyright extension acts regularly so that no new work will ever pass into the public domain.
  • max420, on 12/09/2007, -0/+10This is a travesty. We have to pay licensing fee's now to sing Christmas carols? Legal or not, is this not completely unethical? Since when have ethics and morals gone out the window in favor of crazy ass laws that really make no sense?
    • Arramol, on 12/09/2007, -0/+2I imagine that as long as there have been governments, there have been people bribing said governments.
  • malcam, on 12/09/2007, -0/+0I doubt the money reaches the artists...performing rights society appear to calculate the amount of cash due based on: the number of listeners, hours listened to in a day and days listened to in a year. That cash seems to be then shoved in a pot and equally distributed to members.
  • scooterfish, on 12/09/2007, -0/+12Now you know why in the Futurama episode "I Second That Emotion", Leela, Fry and the gang sang that weird birthday song to Nibbler.
    Not "31st Century quirkiness" but probably a refusal to pay copyright fees by the writing staff.
    • vastrightwing, on 12/09/2007, -0/+9I learned that many old TV shows will never be available on DVD because of copyright problems with the music soundtrack :(
  • Langford, on 12/09/2007, -1/+4I can't help but feel like the world might have been better off if copyrights had never been invented.
    • Pinhedd, on 12/10/2007, -0/+2there's a strong difference between "making money off of someone else's works" and "someone not making tons of money off of their own works"
  • vwvan, on 12/09/2007, -0/+20I'm singing Happy Birthday to Jesus right now.

    Happy Birthday to you.
    Happy Birthday to you.
    Happy Birthday dear Jesus.
    Happy Birthday to you.

    ... and many more!
    • rouslan, on 12/09/2007, -1/+13OH No!!!!! You're violating copyright laws!! You should be arrested, interrogated, have all your electronic equipment confiscated, and jailed.
      • Me1000, on 12/09/2007, -5/+5Then forced to use Windows!
      • ThreeDee912, on 12/09/2007, -0/+3Dugg for Kevin Mitnik reference. (I think?)
      • rouslan, on 12/10/2007, -0/+2>Dugg for Kevin Mitnik reference. (I think?)
        More of ThePirateBay (considering the authorities have not returned the servers yet-they are still "searching" for illegal content [which doesn't exist] until the hardware gets outdated). But more accurately compared to Tor exit server operators in Germany who had their whole house searched while the rented Tor node is hosted thousands of miles away in a datacenter.
  • sidebuster, on 12/09/2007, -0/+11Happy birthday to this person right here! Happy birthday to this person right here! Happy birthday to this person right here (insert name)! Happy birthday to this person riiiighhtt hereeeee ! And a couple more!!!

    Feel free to use my song all you want for free.
    • KamikazeeDriver, on 12/09/2007, -0/+5Sorry, I already copyrighted it! GIMME MONEY!
  • Zippo, on 12/09/2007, -1/+25What the *****? What the hell is the point of a radio then?!
    Jesus, people. If it's on the radio, it's already public, and the radio station's already paid licensing fees to broadcast that music TO THE PUBLIC.
  • thomasprebble, on 12/09/2007, -1/+3Copyright laws are no longer useful, stuck in the past and a HINDRANCE to everyone but the elite! Abolish them!
  • demonsnake69, on 12/09/2007, -0/+2I hope these copyright groups do even worse things so the whole world can see how terrible they are.
  • SilverBlade2k, on 12/09/2007, -0/+5This truly is the definition of stupidity. The kids are singing for charity to raise money for the poor, instead they have to raise money to pay off the *****.

    Merry ***** Christmas to the Copyright police. Hope they burn in hell.
  • vastrightwing, on 12/09/2007, -0/+6Next up: "music" industry sues everyone who plays music on loudspeakers for "public performance". Also, be careful how many people you invite to watch a movie on your new plasma/LCD screen. That's next!
  • cjnkns, on 12/09/2007, -0/+2Holy ***** this is ridiculous.
  • Berkana, on 12/09/2007, -1/+8This is a perfect example of the dangers Larry Lessig warned about in his TED talk on how copyright laws have gone too far:

    How Creativity is Being Strangled By The Law:
    http://www.digg.com/tech_news/How_Creativity_Is_Be ...

    Digg this one up! This should hit the front page, but not enough people who care have heard.
  • archimago42, on 12/09/2007, -0/+1Lots of places broadcast music onto public sidewalks in the US. The UK blows.
  • DestroyFascism, on 12/09/2007, -0/+5I love stupid copyright laws.....
    Next they will charge schools for reading books out loud....
  • and303, on 12/09/2007, -2/+1Shouldn't CIAA be suing the people who listen to the carols without tipping too?
  • cherwilco, on 12/09/2007, -0/+2***** THE PRS!
  • l00s3r, on 12/09/2007, -3/+23Happy non-denominational Northern Hemisphere Winter Consumerism Day!

    I'd like to illegally display the lyrics to one of my favorite Zappa tunes that is quite topical to this story:

    I'm The Slime
    by Frank Zappa

    I am gross and perverted
    I'm obsessed 'n deranged
    I have existed for years
    But very little had changed
    I am the tool of the Government
    And industry too
    For I am destined to rule
    And regulate you

    I may be vile and pernicious
    But you can't look away
    I make you think I'm delicious
    With the stuff that I say
    I am the best you can get
    Have you guessed me yet?
    I am the slime oozin' out
    From your TV set

    You will obey me while I lead you
    And eat the garbage that I feed you
    Until the day that we don't need you
    Don't got for help...no one will heed you
    Your mind is totally controlled
    It has been stuffed into my mold
    And you will do as you are told
    Until the rights to you are sold

    That's right, folks..
    Don't touch that dial

    Well, I am the slime from your video
    Oozin' along on your livin'room floor

    I am the slime from your video
    Can't stop the slime, people, lookit me go
  • Bahimiron, on 12/09/2007, -0/+2Licenses to own TVs?

    I never knew. That's insane.
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