Save Internet Radio

On March 2, 2007, the Copyright Royalty Board decision on the royalties to be paid by Internet Radio stations for streaming music during the years 2006-2010 was announced. The rates are going up significantly over the next few years. More importantly, especially for smaller entities, there are no royalty rates based on a percentage of revenue as were in effect for small webcasters under the Small Webcasters Settlement Act. Instead, all royalties are given as a per performance number, i.e. a payment for each song every time a listener hears that song. If this decision stands, it will cause the demise of many small Internet Radio stations. Here are links to sites covering this issue, and information on how you can help save Internet Radio.

Save Our Internet Radio

Save the Streams

Sign the petition

Send a message to your Senators and Representatives

Response from Congressman Mike Honda

Response from Senator Barbara Boxer

An Open Reply to SoundExchange from Live365

Live365 Save Internet Radio

Radio and Internet Newsletter

Broadcast Law Blog

Wahington Post article

New York Times article

CNN Money article

Yahoo article

PERFORM Act = DRM Mandate

Full written decision of the Copyright Royalty Board - PDF file