What does it all mean?

Today I'm starting a new section of posts entitled "What does it all mean?" in which I post music-industry news and think about....what it all means.

First up: From a couple of weeks back, the Big Four record labels settled with the FCC for $12.5 million (not billion, million, which is chump change for them) for their most recent payola lawsuit. They also voluntarily made a deal with the American Association of Independent Music to set aside a bunch of half-hour blocks for independent music on the radio. So, stay tuned to terrestrial radio at around 4am for a fleeting block of music that isn't Nickleback or terrible. More here and here.

And today's news: EMI will be the first major to lift the DRM (digital rights management) copy-protection anti-piracy system currently in place on the label’s online catalogue. Play songs wherever you want, whenever you want, in better quality. The catch? 30 cents more, so not for cheapskates. (via Rockdaily)