Internet Radio Equality Act in da House!

A glimmer of hope for small webcasters: two Representatives -- one D one R -- submitted H.R. 2060, a bill that would reverse the Copyright Royalty Board's ruling on royalty rates. (Of course, the Senate would have to get on board and so would W, hence it's a "glimmer" of hope.)

Why is this important? Because the CRB's ruling goes into effect on May 15, and those new regulations would put several internet streaming groups out of business. Public radio, college radio stations, small streaming services, Clear Channel stations, everybody is facing astronomical increases in the amount we pay for sharing music. Sample info from this Seattle PI article.

When the ruling goes into effect, big groups like Clear Channel can probably absorb the increased costs. Little groups like small public radio stations probably are under the arbitrary limit the CRB put together, and if so would only have to pay a flat annual fee. But it's still making everyone who shares music online - legally - very worried. I maintain the web for our stations, and I'm concerned about putting together the reports the new rulings require to justify their per-song per-play per-listener rates.

Read more about the issue on Save Net Radio.

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