Ever wonder what RIAA, ASCAP, BMI, et al did for shout casters and web broadcasters? Well, here’s a little explanation from DNA Lounge owner, Jamie Zawinski :

“In case you’re unclear on how RIAA, ASCAP, BMI, etc. work, it’s like this: everyone who comes anywhere near any kind of music is expected to pay them. They’ll sue you into oblivion if you don’t. Then, regardless of what music you were playing, they take your money, keep most of it for themselves, and then divide the rest statistically based on the Billboard charts. That means that no matter what kind of obscure, underground music you played, 3/4ths of the extortion money you paid goes to whichever company owns N’Sync; and the rest goes to Michael Jackson (since he owns The Beatles’ catalog); and all other artists (including the ones whose music you actually played) get nothing.”

(From DNA Sequencing)