We're not going to renew our SOCAN license for 2025, so we're revamping our programming so that it only includes public domain material (the current thinking is Canada only, but that could change).
I could take down the Internet stream (which is the only reason to have the license, as the licensing bodies in Canada don't care about ultra low power over the air transmissions) but I like to have the connection to the outside world.
Since the splash page of this site contains a link to the Artisan Radio site (re Canadian regulations), I recommend that you replace that with a copy/paste of the contents of that web page.
We'll probably be down for a few weeks, and I'll keep folks apprised of the progress.
Artisan said "Since the splash page of this site contains a link to the Artisan Radio site (re Canadian regulations), I recommend that you replace that with a copy/paste of the contents of that web page".
I don't quite understand what you want to do here? Replace what is there with a copy of the contents of the same web page? "That" web page will just copy and paste the same thing there now.
@artisan-radio Good going with your changes. I enjoy checking out your SDR from time to time.
@ArtisanRadio
Ok I think I get it so I will change it so it won't say licensed to play at the bottom or under construction.
The site right now is a huge time sucker, and I have some other projects that I want to get started (including finally getting down to writing).
Add the fact that I'm mostly interested right now in older music, plays, books, etc. and it makes sense to play what I will enjoy the most. Plus I don't think too many other stations do it, not even Part 15 ones (that could be because no one else is interested in this stuff, but that's OK too).
Once I put the effort into setting the thing up, it should run relatively unattended. Although I'm still planning on doing some sort of hosted show at some point, either early classical or jazz.
@artisan-radio As you know I do OTR and oldies and have the shows you also run so we are doing a lot of the same thing.
I also play a small amount of more "current" stuff like the Surfrajettes, a Toronto instrumental surf rock band that are in a similar genera and will never get commercial radio play. Other stuff like that also. Just gave the Surfrajettes as an example, also Dea Matrona.
I want to do what no commercial station will do. Of course since I am the main listener I have to like it.
The site right now is a huge time sucker, and I have some other projects that I want to get started (including finally getting down to writing). Add the fact that I'm mostly interested right now in older music, plays, books, etc. and it makes sense to play what I will enjoy the most...
I do listen to your station periodically (at least an hour or two week, and check your blog), and now notice your site is down now but didn't realize taking it down was what you were saying.
If your not going to continue the stream from your home server due to music royalties then you might want to consider the free Zeno streaming plan as it covers those royalties for you -- but only for your stream heard from the Zeno.fm site ( if you put that streaming link on your own website or wherever then the royalties become your responsibility).
My Zeno stream is not active yet (because I havent set it up), but just been using the Zeno Auto DJ which is just an upload to a cloud playlist, but setting a the regular basic stream with thru them is pretty cut and dry and cost nothing (other than the random ad insertions). Or you can go with their $15 month plan that provides additional bells and whistles.
I'd like to see more part 15ers using Zeno to put their station online. I know the reason so few do anymore is because of music royalties. Zeno free plan might not be ideal but it is free and will get your streaming online Zeno.fm easily
Lol.. you must be a night owl.. after posting the above checked your site again - butvthis time it did load, with your announcement of shutting it down for awhile..
The thing is, most of the material I'm interested in playing (and listening to) is in the public domain anyway. My tastes are definitely changing.
I'm also somewhat leery about these so-called free streaming sites, or ones that cost relatively little. I always wonder if they really do pay licensing fees, particularly those that are offshore. Copyright law is dependent on the country your server is located within, so how does that work? There have been a number of such sites that just kept the money and ran.
Copyright law is also so complicated that I always worry that someone is going to come after me after the fact for not doing something that I should have. SOCAN is not the only licensing body, and Canada has different licensing bodies for different purposes (and some of those purposes even overlap in ways that I've never quite understood).
I'd rather play copyright free material and not worry about any of those things, or be in anybody's database. While remaining legal. Piracy doesn't only apply to transmitting over the air and/or streaming, regardless of what some sites say.
@artisan-radio I dont know David, but Zeno.fm seems to be pretty reputable. They've really come along way since they began about a decade ago when their service only could stream your station thru the telephone via a telephone number (originally intended for migrants or something). Zeno is not a fly-by-night service, Trust Pilot gives it 4 and half stars out of 5.
Wiki says "Zeno Media is a media company that provides online audio streaming targeting diaspora communities.[1] Its flagship product Zeno.FM features programming from 248 countries and an average monthly listenership of 40 million."
So any weariness you might feel towards them is probably unfounded. I've used them on and off over the last ten years or so, and their better now than they've ever been and seem to very reputable and reliable.
It also appears they are somehow affiliated with NPR
Zeno Media And NPR Announce Distribution Of Podcast Content To Diaspora Listeners
"...Zeno Media, a U.S. top ten streaming radio company, amplifies local voices while connecting niche and diaspora communities to their hometown radio stations and native language programming. With more than 30,000+ large and small streaming content providers globally, the company averages 20M+ Monthly Active Users. Zeno offers the only end-to-end streaming solution at no cost as well as innovative tools that enable broadcasters to monetize content and broaden their audience base worldwide..."
If your not going to continue the stream from your home server due to music royalties then you might want to consider the free Zeno streaming plan as it covers those royalties for you -- but only for your stream heard from the Zeno.fm site
I found this interesting, but I cannot seem to find language on the zeno.fm site suggesting they handle the payment of royalties.
@jsh4 It only applies to the music streaming thru the Zeno.fm site:
https://help.zeno.fm/en/article/do-i-need-a-music-license-7ckwl4/
Zeno has agreements with ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC in the United States, these only cover content streamed via the zeno.fm website and do not extend to individual station websites, apps, or third-party platforms.
If you’re broadcasting on your own website, app, or via other aggregators, we recommend obtaining music licenses from the appropriate organizations in your country.
So, what does Zeno do when someone from Canada or New Zealand does stream through their website?
Are there royalties paid into the licensing bodies of those countries, or only into the U.S. licensing coffers? Or maybe nothing - maybe licensing is only paid for U.S. listeners.
The fact that they are saying that radio stations outside the U.S. must obtain music licensing is a real red flag. At least for me, who does reside outside the U.S., and who wants to remain legal on all fronts, for both over-the-air transmitting and for copyright. Unless they can show me how this all works, and the relationships between the various international licensing bodies, a single statement on a buried help page just won't cut it.
Essentially, this is the problem with most, if not all, streaming services. They're either offshore in some foreign copyright haven, and you can be guaranteed that no royalties are being paid anywhere, or they're really intended for use in a specific country. When it comes right down to it, if you're running a radio station, you're responsible for the licensing of that station. Don't be left holding the bag.