A Slight Reprieve for Internet Radio

In this report from Wired we find that there was an agreement made last Friday to modify the proposed fees scheduled to be enforced against internet broadcasters. While this is not the desired resolution, it does buy some time to keep the pressure on our representatives to preserve the internet as we know it.

SoundExchange, a group responsible for collecting music broadcasting royalties, on Friday confirmed it has proposed new terms for internet radio that could lower fees for some webcasters.

While limited in scope, Thursday's proposal offers a partial reprieve for smaller sites facing the axe Sunday when a payment scheme approved by the Copyright Royalty Board, or CRB, is set to take effect. Webcasters have said the fees would effectively force many services that personalize individual channels for listeners to close shop by the end of the weekend.

Under the new proposal, which must be implemented by the CRB, SoundExchange would cap the $500 annual per-channel minimum fee at $50,000 per year for webcasters. In exchange, webcasters could be required to provide more detailed data on the music that they play and make an effort to stop unauthorized copying from streamrippers -- software that can turn ephemeral net radio streams into permanent recordings.

The SaveNetRadio Coalition has this statement on the issue:

Congress and SoundExchange have heard loud and clear the amazing outpouring of support for Internet radio from webcasters, listeners and the thousands of artists they support. A commitment has been made to negotiate reasonable royalties, recognizing the industry’s long-term value and its still-developing revenue potential.

During negotiations SoundExchange committed temporarily not to enforce the new royalty rates so webcasters can stay online as new rates are agreed upon.

This development is due in great part to the millions of people who have let their Congressional representatives know about their support of Internet radio. Over 125 representatives have cosponsored the bill to this point.

We urge listeners to continue calling their Senators and Representative to ask them to co-sponsor the Internet Radio Equality Act. Thank you.

Pleas to our representatives seem to be working so let's keep it up.

Here is a link to help you find your representative - keep the pressure on!

See also The End of the Internet as We Know It

and The End Of The Internet - Revisited

Visit savetheinternet.com

Sign a petition or two.
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