The music and video purveyors can't get what they want in negotiations, so they want the government to take the ball and run with it:

With regards to the 30-second samples shoppers can stream before the buy, industry officials believe they should be paid a "performance" income from Apple, much like when a song is played in a public venue like on the radio or at a sports game. It's the same situation, they say, for movies and TV shows that feature licensed music.

Because negotiations have apparently not produced results, the music industry has reportedly begun to lobby Congress. Their goal: Anyone who sells music, movies or TV shows online would be required to pay a performance fee with that transaction.

You have to love the greed there - a 30 second sample - something I use a lot to decide whether a new artist (i.e., new to me) is someone I'd buy - will cost more if they have their way. Are these clowns under the impression that a 30 second sample is an actual performance? If they want to build up even more ill feeling in the customer base, this is a great way to go about it...

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