Internet Radio - The Day the Music Died
Yesterday US based Internet Radio stations staged a day of silence in protest of a new royalty rate hike. But the rate increase really exists for the sole purpose of killing Internet radio and has been approved by the US Copyright Royalty Board. The scheme was masterminded by Sound Exchange a group that works in conjunction with the RIAA to suck the marrow from the music industry.
The new rates are based around fees for every instance of a song being streamed to an individual listener. So, the station is being charged per listener instead of just per song. The real twist of this knife into the back of Internet radio is the retro-pay aspect of Sound Exchange's scheme. Yes, Internet radio will actually be liable for past 'performances' dating back to 2006.
Now small independent Internet radio stations that might under 100 listeners and barely makes enough money from advertising to cover operating costs, will find themselves deep into the red ink. It guarantees almost every
SaveNetRadio.org exists to try and reverse this ruling and bring some sensible alternatives to the Copyright Royalty Board.
Please help save Internet radio! Visit SaveNetRadio.org, let the legislative branch of the US government know you're out there and watching. Even if you're not a fan of Internet radio if you pay taxes in the
