New Scam For Broadcasters to Worry About

Just when you think you've seen it all, a company called Mission Abstract Data is now claiming it's owed licensing fees for computer use at radio stations.

There's more from Tom Taylor on Radio-Info: http://www.radio-info.com/newsletter/html/tri-02012012.html

Mission Abstract Data has started sending letters to operators of radio stations claiming it's owed licensing fees for the use of personal computers by radio stations.

Just about any use of a PC in radio station, from music scheduling software, commercial scheduling, billing, cleaning the bathroom floor, washing the GM's car - ANY use of a PC in a radio station - is subject to licensing fees for Mission Abstract Data.

OK, the last two PC use examples from me are fictitious, but any other use of a PC in a radio station since the invention of the personal computer is trying to be covered Mission Abstract Data's patents.

It's absurd.

But some lawyers somewhere are probably going to make money off the whole thing.

The US Patent Office is reviewing the Mission Abstract Data Situation.

Hopefully broadcasters won't have to pay licensing fees for using personal computers in a broadcast environment.

They already pay substantial licensing fees for other things the general public would be amazed at.

So it goes.