This is pretty whack: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4609378.stm Here¹s the comments from a blog I read stupid! :-/ Check out the part about limiting mixes to two seconds or less! -- Digital DJs must pay twice to store tracks on hard drive Boing Boing reader Scott says, BBC News is reporting that most club DJs in the UK are unaware of a licensing restriction that means if they buy a CD or vinyl track, they will have to pay an additional licence fee if they rip it to a hard drive and play it out from there. (Earlier story on The Stage on the same topic: Link ) The Digital DJ licence costs GBP200 + VAT per device -- so if they use an iPod or similar, they could well need to pay more than once -- on top of the existing public performance licence that club DJs need. Now, this is just my opinion, but this structure seems more about getting revenue than it does about enforcing copyright/protecting the original artists/whatever excuse is being given this week. To add insult to injury, the signup page defaults to a licence GBP50 more expensive than the one needed. The extra money entitles you to access a members-only website as well as a "welcome pack with a glossy flyer containing your membership card and a place to store all of your Digital DJ literature"! Woo! Reader comment: Anonymous says, I also believe that the license requires DJs to LIMIT their crossover/fades/blends to TWO SECONDS OR LESS. Screw that, what about those of us who beatmatch two (or more songs) for MINUTES at a time? Apparently, I can't use my EQ either, or the loop function my DJ software comes with -- from the PPL Digital DJ Terms and conditions: "Dubbing obligations 3.1 The Licensee hereby warrants, represents and undertakes that it shall: (1) Dub each Track in its entirety provided that the Fade-down Section of any Track may be subject to the use of premature fade and cross-faded or overlapped with the Track following immediately thereafter provided that the period of audible cross fade or overlap does not exceed 2 (two) seconds; (2) not Dub Tracks in such a way as to accelerate the rate of the Fade-up Section at the commencement of any Track; (3) Dub Tracks so that all reproductions of Sound Recordings on a DJ Database or Back-up Database will be of sufficient technical standard so that the quality of the original Sound Recording is reasonably preserved for any person listening to the Service; (4) not mix, remix, Segue, edit, change or otherwise manipulate the sounds of any Sound Recording so that the sounds on the Dubbed copy of the Sound Recording are different from those on the original Sound Recording (5) comply with PPL¹s guidelines from time to time issued in relation to devices holding copies of Sound Recordings and in particular as to the security of such copies; and (6) ensure that all Dubbing of Sound Recordings shall be undertaken by the Licensee only." So does this license then allow DJs to use illegal downloads because they've paid this fee? Uhh... Apparently, if the license is terminated "for any reason", then the user is required to delete all the music off their hard drive. If I lived in the UK, I'd be a criminal for not buying this license very year, but I'd also be in violation of this license because it forbids DJs to do what they do with music. I BUY MY MUSIC. I don't get it off p2p, etc. Sound quality is important to me, so I rip my CDs myself. Why on Earth should I pay for the privelege of keeping my own music on my own hard drive? This crap will just encourage people to buy less music because they've spent their money on this ridiculous "license". Reader comment: Bazzargh sez, It gets worse. The PPL Digital DJ FAQ (PDF) says: "At present you can copy store the sound recording in any digital format. However, please note that in the near future PPL will be requiring the storage of sound recordings in digital form to be protected by Digital Rights Management." EEK! "Does the licence allow me to create mixes? [Nope!] This does not stop you creating a mix from different tracks when you are performing as a DJ. However, neither you nor anyone else will be able to record this mix." There's lots more in there. Your backup can't be on removable media (it has to be on a 'computer or hard disk unit'). You can't have more than one backup. They can ask for a list of the tracks you have stored - up to 20,000 - and what you intend to play at an event. Reader comment: Ryan Steele writes, This is the case in Canada as well. A license will set you back $250 per year (plus a $50 administration fee). Link -- _jason_ _________ ________ _______ _____ ____ ___ __ _ _ _