Music as a business has at least two economic problems.

1. Consumer electronics have made it possible for the average person to copy muskc into different formats and either enjoy them or give them away. When musicians lost physical control of their music, they lost the chance to collect the money.

In 1890, if I wanted to play "After the Ball," I had to go to a shop and hand over the money. Now I can borrow the original from the library, create a MIDI, and give it to millions of people.

2. Last Christmas, I thought I would make a video of me singing "The Little Drummer Boy" for the kids in my family. I tried to get permission, but I couldn't figure how to get it. I was willing to pay, but nobody was organized enough to sell me permission.

After looking at a dozen sites, it seemed that I would have to call somebody in England on the telephone. I dropped the whole idea.

If they want to sell the rights, why don't they get on the ball and do it?

As a boss of mine used to say, "Some people just like to play businessman."