Filed under: iTS, Odds and ends
NRK pulls Beatles podcast citing legal concerns
Lost in the din of yesterday's Macworld announcements and video was a story from NRK that they've pulled down the "Our Daily Beatles" podcast -- featuring all 212 songs available for free -- citing contractual obligations with an organization that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide.
The three players in the debacle are NRK (Norway's publicly-funded broadcasting company), TONO (managers of the rights for Norwegian composers and writers), and IFPI (which represents the rights of international record companies). While NRK and TONO are happy with their contractual agreement to release the podcast, IFPI is not.
NRK's contract with IFPI states that they can only create podcasts for shows aired on the radio in the last four weeks where music accounts for less than 70 percent of the show's length. Since "Our Daily Beatles" was aired in 2007 (and not 2001 as they originally stated, but that's neither here nor there) it falls outside the bounds of the agreement. NRK, rather than air the broadcast again to comply with IFPI's rules, instead decided to pull the podcast offline.
NRK is negotiating with IFPI to update their contract to match the one they have with TONO. Their current agreement expired at the end of last year, but apparently NRK is still bound by its terms.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jash Sayani said 2:11PM on 1-08-2009
With soo much media published every second, I can't believe how things are monitored !!
Reply
vandil said 2:52PM on 1-08-2009
I cannot believe how some bands/artist can so "fail" at digital music as much as the Beatles (Apple Corps. or whoever owns the rights) have.
Podcast shmodcast, release your stupid songs on iTunes already and make some money.
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Carljammers said 3:27PM on 1-08-2009
Doesn't Michael Jackson own the Beatles Catalog??
Howie Isaacks said 7:19PM on 1-08-2009
Damned right! They're idiots. Why would you NOT want to sell your music? Oh wait.... They can profitable as long as they keep suing Apple. Why sell music? That's silly!
Gary said 4:33AM on 1-09-2009
The Beatles ceased being a band in 1970, they're a massive corporation now. Sadly, the decision to put the catalogue on iTunes/amazon doesn't just rest with just Paul, Ringo, and the trustees of George and John's estates. Besides, it's the remastering which seems to have delayed things the most.
I feel sorry for Norwegian speakers everywhere, this podcast sounded like a great idea. It's a shame people got hung up on how much music there was in there.
Howie Isaacks said 7:17PM on 1-08-2009
What the hell is up with the damned Beatles? They aren't dieties. I couldn't careless if their music never makes it onto iTunes or, any other digital catalog. Who ever runs their distribution is an idiot since there is obviously a demand for their tired old music. I'll pass when or if it ever gets onto iTunes. They really weren't that great.
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jeremy straughan said 12:29AM on 1-14-2009
I hardly ever post comments on here but for you howie, I have some words I'd like to share.
fuck you, do what the beatles did In their time then you can say something. Wether you like them or not, you can't deny the fact there achievements are historic. Atleast have some respect.