Musician Royalties May Be Coming Soon To Your Cell Phone

If you are anything like me, your cell phone has become almost a fifth limb. No matter where I go and what I am doing, that little electronic device is never far from reach. The capabilities of mobile services are increasing daily. It is hard to imagine life before cell phones.

Today I read an article by Joelle Tessler for the Associated Press about the long-running dispute between radio broadcasters and the recording industry. My first thought on reading the title of the article was what the heck does cell phones have to do with the recording industry? You are probably wondering the same.

According to Ms. Tessler, "The compromise under discussion by radio broadcasters, recording labels and artists could include a federal mandate that all new cell phones come with a built-in FM radio chip. While a deal is far from final, the prospect that the government could dictate a key design decision for such a ubiquitous consumer device has alarmed manufacturers and wireless providers."

I find it stunning that there is a move started to mandate cell phone manufacturers like this. It is one thing to offer such a service but to make it obligatory? I have heard a lot of good things about smart phones that allow you to access your computer remotely and allow you to play your downloaded music from your MP3 files. Gadgets such as these are fun for some and somewhat of a necessity for others. I on the other hand and many people like me continue to use our flip phones for the basic purposes of talking and occasionally texting. My service provider does a fine job with both.

First, the proponents of the change, want an FM radio chip built into every cell phone, but service providers would have to increase bandwidth to accommodate the change. That increase would eventually trickle down to the consumer with soaring service charges. Myself and every other subscriber would be paying again for something we would probably never use.

I appreciate the fact that musical performers are entitled to royalties for their efforts. It is part of their job. With CD sales falling to abysmal levels thanks to MP3 players and low cost downloads, musicians are not making the money they are used to. However, do not sit there and tell me I now have to have a radio in my communication device just so you can make another dime or two.

I'm of the same opinion as Jot Carpenter. "Jot Carpenter, vice president of government affairs for CTIA-The Wireless Association, which represents wireless carriers, insists that while consumers do like to listen to streaming Internet radio and music downloads on their wireless devices, there is "not a huge desire to listen to over-the-air, ad-laden radio" on mobile handsets."

You said it Jot!