Ain't democracy great?

From FMQB:

New legislation was introduced today to the U.S. Senate, which could wipe out the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) decision on Internet radio royalty rates. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sam Brownback (R-KA) have introduced the Internet Radio Equality Act, which would vacate the CRB decision on increasing royalty fees. The bill would set a 2006-2010 royalty rate for webcasters at the same rate currently paid by satellite radio (7.5 percent of revenue). The bill also proposes a change in the rate setting standard used in royalty arbitration, to closer align Internet radio standards in negotiations with satellite radio. Also, the bill resets the royalty rules for noncommercial stations.

Sen. Wyden said in a statement, "Keeping Internet radio alive is part of a broader issue that is important to me -- keeping the e-commerce engine running by preventing discrimination against it."

"I am alarmed by the recent Copyright Royalty Board decision and the effect it will have on Internet radio -- especially small webcasters with limited revenue streams," Sen. Brownback added. "I am hopeful that with this bipartisan legislation Internet radio will continue to flourish."

Jake Ward, spokesperson for the SaveNetRadio campaign, commented on the bill, saying, "Since the CRB's ruling,
Internet radio listeners, webcasters and the artists they promote have joined together to urge Congress to prevent this vibrant industry from going silent on July 15. On behalf of Internet radio's 70 million monthly listeners, thousands of webcasters, and the incredible diversity of talented artists it supports, we commend Senators Wyden and Brownback for their understanding of Internet radio's importance and for their leadership in taking the steps needed to save it."

Looks like this bill will have no problem in jetting right through the halls of Congress and becoming law. Doesn't mean you shouldn't contact your senator and tell them exactly how passionate you are about Internet radio, now....

Congress to the rescue for Internet radio

And now we come to the zenith of my blogging career - two of my very favorite topics collide: politics and radio. Tell your senators and representatives that you support the Internet Radio Equality Act.

From FMQB:

Congress has gotten involved in the ongoing fight to raise royalty rates for Internet broadcasters. Congressmen Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Don Manzullo (R-IL) have introduced the Internet Radio Equality Act, in an attempt to stop the Copyright Royalty Board's decision to increase the rates. The legislation is said to "modernize" the copyright rules, putting royalties paid by public broadcasters of "sound recordings" under the same system as "musical works."

Put that in your pipe and smoke it, CRB!

Link via [FMQB]

CRB set to kill net radio dead

I've mentioned this twice before, and today there's a new shitty update:

Internet radio broadcasters were dealt another blow late Monday, when the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board upheld its decision to raise the level of royalty fees. The suggested new rates could potentially be high enough to put the majority of Webcasters out of business, though the CRB said that the appeals filed had not "made a sufficient showing of new evidence or clear error or manifest injustice that would warrant rehearing."

Also in the CRB ruling, the board opted not to postpone the May 15 deadline that would begin the new rates. It also clarified how royalties would be calculated for 2006 and 2007, allowing the use of estimated ATH (Aggregate Tuning Hours), but just as a "transitional period." The board also noted that the new rates would also apply to music streaming onto mobile devices.

There you have it, folks. Unless something is done to change this at the last minute, May 15th is the day you'll likely hear thousands of internet radio streams go off the air.

In an encouraging sign, a new group has popped up to fight this. I am joining to help and I hope that you will, too:

On the other hand, the new coalition SaveNetRadio has launched www.SaveNetRadio.org, which is made up of representatives from Live365, Pandora and other online broadcasters. Spokesperson Jake Webb said in a statement, "The CRB's ill informed decision to increase royalty fees to this unjustifiable level will quite simply bankrupt most Webcasters and destroy Internet radio. Radio on the Internet is not a passing fad or for a niche audience. It is an enormously popular medium that offers unprecedented diversity for its more than 70 million listeners and for artists. Particularly for independent artists, Internet radio has the ability to reach millions of fans across the country who would otherwise never hear their music. Net radio has changed the way people listen to, buy, promote and market music and we cannot afford to let it die."

Link via [FMQB]