US Net Radio legislation crosses the hundred member mark
May 27th, 2007 – 11:45 UTC
A bill that would save the Internet radio industry from a dramatic increase
of fees webcasters pay to play music has gained the support of its 100th
member of the US House of Representatives. Introduced by Representatives Jay
Inslee (D-WA) and Donald Manzullo (R-IL), the Internet Radio Equality Act
(H.R. 2060) would vacate the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) decision that
increased the royalty rates by 300-1200 percent over the next five years.
"Members of Congress are hearing loudly and clearly the passionate voices of
webcasters, music fans and artists who have marched on Capitol Hill with
their feet, their calls and their letters. Reaching 100 cosponsors in three
legislative weeks is extraordinary, and is a major milestone for tens of
thousands of webcasters, millions of Internet Radio listeners, and thousands
of artists invested in the future of Internet radio," Jake Ward, a
spokesperson for SaveNetRadio said. SaveNetRadio is a national coalition
comprised of hundreds of thousands of webcasters, artists, listeners and
labels from throughout the country committed to preserving the future of
Internet radio.
Legislation currently before Congress, H.R. 2060 and S. 1353 – the Internet
Radio Equality Act – would vacate the Copyright Royalty Board'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 standard
applied to webcasters would align with that applied to satellite radio.
For more information on the SaveNetRadio coalition, visit:
http://www.savenetradio.org