You may have noticed the SaveNetRadio logo in the upper lefthand corner of my blog. I also emailed quite a few people who I know listen to Internet radio, to write their representatives about the outrageous situation.
On March 2nd 2007, the US Copyright Royalty Board changed the royalty rates paid by Internet Radio operators.
Specifically, the rules call for rate increases of .08 cents per song
per listener retroactive to 2006. They would also climb to .19 cents
per song by 2010, which amounts to a 30 percent increase per year. Each
station would also have to hand over a minimum $500 royalty payment
under the ruling.
An increase of 300 to 1200 percent over the next several years. Oh, and it is retroactive to 2006. My reaction when i heard this was WTF! You have got to be kidding me, retroactive first, and it seems a blatant attempt to put everyone not owned by a large corporation with deep pockets out of business.
So I emailed my Congressman (David Price). A day later, I actually got a response that stated that he agreed with me and was working in Cngress to support a bill to overturn this. That bill was introduced yesterday.
Lawmakers propose reversal of Net radio fee increases
The “Internet Radio Equality Act,” introduced by Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), would invalidate a March 2 decision by the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board that calls for raising royalty rates paid by Net radio operators.
My response is, about time! It is about time Congress which is suppose to represent the American people did something for them rather than let Corporate America dictate everything.
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