So now the nitty gritty of America's music industry strategy for preserving its dying business model has become clear, and appropriately given the cartel's deep attachment to the past, it involves old-fashioned arm-twisting. Phase one was a new initiative to cast Internet service providers as profiteers from the illegal exchange of music and demand that they be forced by courts or legislatures to compensate the record companies Now, having raised the threat, the industry is graciously giving ISPs the chance to avoid having their legs broken. All they have to do is add a monthly surcharge of $5 to their customers' bills to cover all the assumed pirating going on, then pass that money along to the music industry to be divided among artists and copyright holders. The customers, whether they wanted it or not, would get unfettered access to music, and the ISP could stop worrying about being sued. Warner Music has hired Jim Griffin, formerly Geffen Music's digital chief, to put together an organization that would encourage other labels to unify around the plan and start making an offer ISPs might find hard to refuse. Does this sound like a protection racket to you?
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Don't play it again Sam!
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