> BBC do exactly the same thing for podcasts of previously recorded radio > shows. > > A podcast is a download, not listened to live, it's not a performance > licence that's required by Radio NZ. UR needs to be able to collect for > the use of their material from the listener, from the downloader.
You're right Pauley, there is a difference, but as I already mentioned it seems that no-one can even offer streaming archived shows here (which is what the BBC offer for all of their music shows). Legally at least. It seems bizarre that the reason for this should be that the industry have no mechanism in place. I'm guessing it's just not profitable enough for them. It makes you wonder though - if none of the record industry organisations here have the power to grant authorisation for streaming audio, do any of them have the power to stop anyone from just going ahead and doing it? And would any one artist or label (especially an independent one) go the effort and expense of doing anything about it? Not that I'm suggesting that RNZ should be the ones to push the envelope, but maybe one of the "forward thinking" independent stations like the b.net or George FM could feel out the limits of the law...
