"The Internet Radio Equality Act would vacate a Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) decision to increase fees webcasters pay"
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-10-2007/0004585722&EDATE=
Bipartisan Bill Would Save Internet Radio
WASHINGTON, May 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Legislation
introduced by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sam Brownback (R-KA) today would save Internet radio from a recent royalty hike that threatens to bankrupt
the industry. The Internet Radio Equality Act would vacate a Copyright
Royalty Board (CRB) decision to increase fees webcasters pay to play music
online by a devastating 300 to 1200 percent. Companion legislation (H.R. 2060)
introduced in the House of Representatives on April 26th, by
Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Don Manzullo (R-IL), has already garnered the
support of more than 60 cosponsors.
SaveNetRadio.org, a national coalition of webcasters, recording
artists, listeners and record labels applauded the bill's introduction,
expressing their gratitude to Senators Wyden and Brownback for their
leadership at this critical time for the Internet radio industry and
the millions of Americans who listen online every day. "Since the CRB's
ruling, Internet radio listeners, webcasters and the artists they promote have
joined together to urge Congress to prevent this vibrant industry from
going silent on July 15th," said Jake Ward, a spokesperson for the
SaveNetRadio campaign. "On behalf of Internet radio's 70 million
monthly listeners, thousands of webcasters, and the incredible diversity of
talented artists it supports, we commend Senators Wyden and Brownback
for their understanding of Internet radio's importance and for their
leadership in taking the steps needed to save it."
Other members of the SaveNetRadio coalition offered their support
for the Internet Radio Equality Act:
The Roots Music Association, an international organization
representing more than 2200 independent artists and labels, headquartered in San
Marcos, Texas said, "we are very pleased by the introduction of the Internet
Radio Equality Act in the Senate today. Internet radio has become the
lifeblood for so many independent artists that depend on the promotional
accessibility it provides niche roots based genres. This legislative
solution is the last best hope for the future of Internet radio, and we
fully support it."
Tim Westergren, Founder of Pandora, one of the country's leading
Internet radio webcasters, commended the legislation, saying, "we are
grateful for Senators Wyden and Brownback's introduction of the
Internet Radio Equality Act. Their support shows an understanding of the
invaluable exposure that Internet radio provides to emerging artists, as well as
an acknowledgment of the diverse listening experience it offers to music
lovers. We are hopeful that, with the Senators' support, this promising
industry will finally be treated fairly so that it can continue to
grow."
Outbound Music, a Christian webcaster and retailer said, "we are
delighted to see the Internet Radio Equality Act introduced in Senate
today. Internet music programming reaches millions of listeners who are
not within range of Christian broadcast stations. With the passage of this
bill, we can rest assured that our spiritually edifying content will
continue to reach as wide an audience as possible while allowing fair
compensation to artists and affordable rates to webcasters."
Lisa Mathews from the critically acclaimed band Milkshake offered
her support of the Internet Radio Equality Act saying, "Milkshake makes
original rock music for kids, and kids-at-heart. When it comes to
radio, there just aren't many venues for Children's Music via the traditional
radio stations. Webcasters provide an outlet for kids and parents to
hear new music -- music that is pretty much ignored by traditional radio.
For me the value is undeniable. I should pay them for the service they do -- I
really should. The least I can do is keep their rent low, and be fair when it comes to royalties."
Ian Rogers, VP and GM, Yahoo! Music, said, "Internet radio has
empowered and benefited artists and music lovers alike by removing the
physical limitations and barriers that once separated musicians from
their fans. The recent royalty rate increase threatens to limit the potential
of net radio as an outlet for musicians, option for music lovers, and a
business for webcasters. The Internet Radio Equality Act strikes the
appropriate balance between compensating artists for their work and
allowing this industry to grow. We applaud Senator Wyden and Senator
Brownback for their leadership and urge congress to take notice and
action."
Grammy nominated artist, SONiA said, "Internet Radio allows artists
like myself in every imaginable form to sing and be heard around the
country and around the world. And because my music is now frequently
heard on Internet Radio I am maintaining a successful career that would be
impossible without this open medium. The tendency is to build a cage,
because maybe that is how it was done in the early days of
broadcasting. The Internet Radio Equality Act is the only way that thousands of
artists can be heard, and I am one of them."
The Internet Radio Equality Act would vacate the CRB's decision and
set a 2006-2010 royalty rate at the same level currently paid by satellite
radio services (7.5% of revenue.) The bill would also change the
royalty rate- setting standard used in royalty arbitrations, so that the
standards applying to webcasters would align with the standard that applies to
satellite radio royalty arbitrations. The bill also re-sets the royalty
rules for noncommercial radio such as NPR stations that offer Internet
radio music.
For more information on the SaveNetRadio coalition visit
http://www.savenetradio.org
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-10-2007/0004585722&EDATE=
Bipartisan Bill Would Save Internet Radio
WASHINGTON, May 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Legislation
introduced by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sam Brownback (R-KA) today would save Internet radio from a recent royalty hike that threatens to bankrupt
the industry. The Internet Radio Equality Act would vacate a Copyright
Royalty Board (CRB) decision to increase fees webcasters pay to play music
online by a devastating 300 to 1200 percent. Companion legislation (H.R. 2060)
introduced in the House of Representatives on April 26th, by
Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Don Manzullo (R-IL), has already garnered the
support of more than 60 cosponsors.
SaveNetRadio.org, a national coalition of webcasters, recording
artists, listeners and record labels applauded the bill's introduction,
expressing their gratitude to Senators Wyden and Brownback for their
leadership at this critical time for the Internet radio industry and
the millions of Americans who listen online every day. "Since the CRB's
ruling, Internet radio listeners, webcasters and the artists they promote have
joined together to urge Congress to prevent this vibrant industry from
going silent on July 15th," said Jake Ward, a spokesperson for the
SaveNetRadio campaign. "On behalf of Internet radio's 70 million
monthly listeners, thousands of webcasters, and the incredible diversity of
talented artists it supports, we commend Senators Wyden and Brownback
for their understanding of Internet radio's importance and for their
leadership in taking the steps needed to save it."
Other members of the SaveNetRadio coalition offered their support
for the Internet Radio Equality Act:
The Roots Music Association, an international organization
representing more than 2200 independent artists and labels, headquartered in San
Marcos, Texas said, "we are very pleased by the introduction of the Internet
Radio Equality Act in the Senate today. Internet radio has become the
lifeblood for so many independent artists that depend on the promotional
accessibility it provides niche roots based genres. This legislative
solution is the last best hope for the future of Internet radio, and we
fully support it."
Tim Westergren, Founder of Pandora, one of the country's leading
Internet radio webcasters, commended the legislation, saying, "we are
grateful for Senators Wyden and Brownback's introduction of the
Internet Radio Equality Act. Their support shows an understanding of the
invaluable exposure that Internet radio provides to emerging artists, as well as
an acknowledgment of the diverse listening experience it offers to music
lovers. We are hopeful that, with the Senators' support, this promising
industry will finally be treated fairly so that it can continue to
grow."
Outbound Music, a Christian webcaster and retailer said, "we are
delighted to see the Internet Radio Equality Act introduced in Senate
today. Internet music programming reaches millions of listeners who are
not within range of Christian broadcast stations. With the passage of this
bill, we can rest assured that our spiritually edifying content will
continue to reach as wide an audience as possible while allowing fair
compensation to artists and affordable rates to webcasters."
Lisa Mathews from the critically acclaimed band Milkshake offered
her support of the Internet Radio Equality Act saying, "Milkshake makes
original rock music for kids, and kids-at-heart. When it comes to
radio, there just aren't many venues for Children's Music via the traditional
radio stations. Webcasters provide an outlet for kids and parents to
hear new music -- music that is pretty much ignored by traditional radio.
For me the value is undeniable. I should pay them for the service they do -- I
really should. The least I can do is keep their rent low, and be fair when it comes to royalties."
Ian Rogers, VP and GM, Yahoo! Music, said, "Internet radio has
empowered and benefited artists and music lovers alike by removing the
physical limitations and barriers that once separated musicians from
their fans. The recent royalty rate increase threatens to limit the potential
of net radio as an outlet for musicians, option for music lovers, and a
business for webcasters. The Internet Radio Equality Act strikes the
appropriate balance between compensating artists for their work and
allowing this industry to grow. We applaud Senator Wyden and Senator
Brownback for their leadership and urge congress to take notice and
action."
Grammy nominated artist, SONiA said, "Internet Radio allows artists
like myself in every imaginable form to sing and be heard around the
country and around the world. And because my music is now frequently
heard on Internet Radio I am maintaining a successful career that would be
impossible without this open medium. The tendency is to build a cage,
because maybe that is how it was done in the early days of
broadcasting. The Internet Radio Equality Act is the only way that thousands of
artists can be heard, and I am one of them."
The Internet Radio Equality Act would vacate the CRB's decision and
set a 2006-2010 royalty rate at the same level currently paid by satellite
radio services (7.5% of revenue.) The bill would also change the
royalty rate- setting standard used in royalty arbitrations, so that the
standards applying to webcasters would align with the standard that applies to
satellite radio royalty arbitrations. The bill also re-sets the royalty
rules for noncommercial radio such as NPR stations that offer Internet
radio music.
For more information on the SaveNetRadio coalition visit
http://www.savenetradio.org