Save Internet Radio with the Internet Radio Equality Act

[meldroc]

Internet Radio Equality Act would overturn decision on webcasting fees

Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) has waded right into the debate over Internet broadcasting, introducing a bill that would overturn the recent ruling requiring webcasters to pay a flat rate per song streamed, rather than the traditional percentage of their profits.

The Copyright Royalty Board recently raised rates on Internet webcasters, who will soon face greatly-increased fees for streaming music on their stations. The issue affected not just Internet broadcasters but noncommercial groups like NPR, and the broadcasters filed an appeal of the decision earlier this month, but were denied.

Inslee's bill, the Internet Radio Equality Act, would toss out the Board's decision and return the webcasting industry to a percentage of profits model. In this case, the percentage would be set at the same rate paid by satellite radio, which is 7.5 percent of revenue.

The bill is a huge victory for groups like the SaveNetRadio coalition. Jake Ward of SaveNetRadio called the new bill a "critical step to preserve this vibrant and growing medium, and to develop a truly level playing field where webcasters can compete with satellite radio."

Time to call your Congresscritters and demand they pass this bill. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of being kicked around by the RIAA and their bloodsuckers. The Copyright Royalty Board's decision is complete bullshit, obviously bought and paid for by the RIAA specifically to bury Internet radio, so they can turn our culture into a wasteland through their payola arrangements with Clear Channel.

[meldroc]

1. Kick!

Nobody wants to save Internet Radio? We've got legislation here that can tell the RIAA and their puppet CRB to shove it!