Radio License

[Jordan3606]

Radio licences are the reason why I didnt set up my own online radio station about a year ago now... I bought the shoutcast server (or rented it, whatever lol) and then did the research into the whole licenses thing and the whole area is very sketchy, you need a license to broadcast which can run into hundreds of pounds alone and then on top of that (if I remember correctly) you need to pay royalties on all the songs you play. But this does depend on the server location, your location, your listeners location etc. etc. Thats when I gave up and got a refund, haha. It was way over complicated and if things are to be done legally, the costs were very high. I'm suprised all these Habbo stations have lasted so long without running into legal trouble.

[HighFlight]

Yeah exactly, there is no way at all for people in the UK or any country that signed up to the PPL contracts to listen to Habbox (In the case they didn't have to pay because its the US). PPL arn't going to bend the rules for a Habbo Fansite either.
And it has been said most if not all DJs would have played a illegally downloaded track on the radio and if it was investigated would leave you and possible Habbox in a bigger payment lol.

The DJ's/listeners don't pay the stream owner does.

[nvrspk4]

Can I ask why everyone on the forum was forced to read the radio license thread? Over half of the people here don't listen to HabboxLive, so it's of no interest to us. Were we directed to the thread so we'd be reminded to vote Habbox in the HabboHut awards? That's pretty crafty of you.

There were a lot of rumors, speculation, and questions. To prevent 200 people from being linked to the thread we forced it. If you didn't care you could switch off but it did apply to the continuity of one very important part of Habbox, and I do truly apologize for the seconds wasted but we thought a large portion of people would like to know

The "we're not in the UK" business has been attempted but our "legal team" doesn't think it will work, but it has a shot. Since the bulk of our users are British that may qualify us as broadcasting in Britain. But as I pointed out we make no money off the listeners really (well ok there are ads but if we move it to an ad-free habboxlive.com).

[efq]

The DJ's/listeners don't pay the stream owner does.

No but they are responsible of who streams on their shoutcast therefore Habbox are responsible for what goes on air.

[Moh]

No but they are responsible of who streams on their shoutcast therefore Habbox are responsible for what goes on air.

What if HxL add a Terms of Use?
So if they want to be a DJ, they have accept stating there music is legal..

[nvrspk4]

What if HxL add a Terms of Use?
So if they want to be a DJ, they have accept stating there music is legal..

They do, any DJ that plays illegal music gets in trouble.

[Knuxxy]

There were a lot of rumors, speculation, and questions. To prevent 200 people from being linked to the thread we forced it. If you didn't care you could switch off but it did apply to the continuity of one very important part of Habbox, and I do truly apologize for the seconds wasted but we thought a large portion of people would like to know

The "we're not in the UK" business has been attempted but our "legal team" doesn't think it will work, but it has a shot. Since the bulk of our users are British that may qualify us as broadcasting in Britain. But as I pointed out we make no money off the listeners really (well ok there are ads but if we move it to an ad-free habboxlive.com).

Im thinking about opening a fansite with a radio, so can you try this theory and get back to us. kfnxbai.

[HighFlight]

After the license has been sorted you should get a receipt of all of your DJ's music purchase, because I'm betting most of the DJ's just d/l the music fro iwantmusik or limewire.

[GommeInc]

Or Habbo contacted PPL about the issue because they are slowly trying to cut all fansites out and make everything more Habbo central. They want everyone to use the whole Habbo social side now. Habbo is becoming more social networky, and let's face it you don't get MySpace fansites do you? They want everyone to sue Habbo and only Habbo.

Sulake is behind this. I'm sure of it.

Ha, if they are Habbos plans, then good luck, Habbo is more of a game than a social networking site and because they are selling a product that has interesting features (like furniture etc), they'll always have fansites just to list these features. No-one is going to use Habbo as their primary social network site, not when there is little to socialise about and features to socialise through (their wall features suck and they won't allow photos to be uploaded), especially with their negative, anti-social behaviour They can't compete with Myspace or Facebook, they allow freedom of language (swearing, e-language etc), photos and blogs. Something Habbo won't ever allow, as it goes against so many policies and rules they themselves built.

If Habbo focus on the social networking side, they won't last. Habbo is a game to people, nothing to be taken seriously (unless lots of money has been spent on it, but that's not too serious anyway).

[efq]

They do, any DJ that plays illegal music gets in trouble.

How will you know if a DJ has downloaded or purchased every song they play?
I doubt they'd spend hundreds of pounds for the songs they play but you never know.