The Copyright Royalty Board has delayed implementation of the new royalty rates on internet broadcasters that had been set to take effect May 15th. The new rates will now be effective on July 15th, giving netcasters a few more months to try to reach a deal to prevent the coming apocalypse.Basically, internet radio producers say the new rates would be so high that most online radio services would be put out of business.
Meanwhile, a bill has been introduced in Congress that could reverse the Copyright Royalty Board decision and establish a new system for setting royalty rates.
The SaveNetRadio coalition says it will use the new two-month reprieve to lobby Congress in support of the bill.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-03-2007 @ 4:58PM
DboG said...
I'm the station manager for CreamyRadio.com, and this is a welcome, if temporary, reprieve from the pending royalty deadline. As SaveNetRadio wrote, "We feel strongly that Congress could not possibly have intended a structure whereby Internet radio services pay 60% to 300% of their revenue in recording royalties,while satellite radio pays 5-7% and broadcasters pay zero."
I'd ask anyone who supports fair royalty laws, or even just likes to have choices in music, to please contact your Congressperson and ask them to support H.R. 2060, The Internet Radio Equality Act.
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