I got this by way of Penny Haynes. Apparently, the United Nations is planning to pass a treaty that would give broadcaster’s blanket rights to works created by others.

Hmmm…let me see if I understand this. If we use a mechanism to publish our podcasts, the company or organization that provides that distribution method now owns our content. That’s absurd.
This brings to mind something that Prince said when he started using his own name again. He changed his name to “The Artist Formerly Known As Prince” when his contract ended with the record company who owned the masters to his music. It wasn’t until he got ownership over his masters that he became Prince again. In a newspaper interview about that experience, Prince explained how silly it is for record companies to take ownership over an artist’s work. He said:

“It’s like FedEx saying they own the contents of my package just because I used their distribution service.”

I believe that this is what this treaty will do. And if you’re a podcaster, you have to take action. To do so, go here and get your name on the list to protest this treaty being considered by the U.N. (why isn’t this on a wiki?)

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