Dalioranium
27-06-2007, 00:30
Ok, somewhat dramatic a name but it wasn't my idea.
Anybody listening to internet radio has probably noticed the fact that their favourite stations are either static, down, or posting various 'public service' ads. This united effort by most web broadcasters based in the US is aimed squarely at a recent decision by the Copyright Royalty Board. This decision, which followed to the letter suggestions outlined by the record industry, would see fees rise by roughly 300% on average, with some rises as high as 1200%.
The coalition is incredibly varied, including entities like National Public Radio, Yahoo, local stations that maintain several web streams, and small webcasters catering to unique interests. In virtually every case the new fee scheme would demand over 100% of profits, and usually multiple times the amount of total revenue taken in. In no uncertain terms, this would eliminate the internet radio industry in the United States.
While there are over 100 representatives supporting a bill that would repeal this judgment already, many more are needed to pass the bill to prevent the annihilation of anything from your favourite quirky solo DJ to Live365, Rhapsody, and Pandora. I don't live in the States but for all that is good in this world, don't let them take my www.somafm.com from me, PLEASE!
Most every news outlet has mentioned this, but here are a couple quality links.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/06/26/MNGMDQLP6G1.DTL
http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/26/magazines/business2/internet_radio.biz2/?postversion=2007062610
Anybody listening to internet radio has probably noticed the fact that their favourite stations are either static, down, or posting various 'public service' ads. This united effort by most web broadcasters based in the US is aimed squarely at a recent decision by the Copyright Royalty Board. This decision, which followed to the letter suggestions outlined by the record industry, would see fees rise by roughly 300% on average, with some rises as high as 1200%.
The coalition is incredibly varied, including entities like National Public Radio, Yahoo, local stations that maintain several web streams, and small webcasters catering to unique interests. In virtually every case the new fee scheme would demand over 100% of profits, and usually multiple times the amount of total revenue taken in. In no uncertain terms, this would eliminate the internet radio industry in the United States.
While there are over 100 representatives supporting a bill that would repeal this judgment already, many more are needed to pass the bill to prevent the annihilation of anything from your favourite quirky solo DJ to Live365, Rhapsody, and Pandora. I don't live in the States but for all that is good in this world, don't let them take my www.somafm.com from me, PLEASE!
Most every news outlet has mentioned this, but here are a couple quality links.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/06/26/MNGMDQLP6G1.DTL
http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/26/magazines/business2/internet_radio.biz2/?postversion=2007062610