Subject:
Save Internet radio
To:
Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Rep. Sam Farr
Sen. Barbara Boxer
March 6, 2007
As your constituent and a fan of Internet radio, I was alarmed to learn
that music royalty rates were recently determined by the Copyright
Royalty Board (CRB) which, if enacted, would certainly silence most l Internet radio services.
Internet radio services meet the needs of smaller, diverse listening markets that are simply ignored by mainstream media outlets. In my opinion, Internet radio is performing a social good by encouraging diversity of choices and opinion, promoting variety and competition, and providing a forum for alternative and independent artists who would otherwise have little to no opportunity for exposure.
Small webcasters should be supported in their efforts to provide these services, not squeezed out of existence by unfair, unrealistic royalties. A tiered royalty structure based on percentage of revenue or number of listeners seems far more equitable than the flat royalty-per-performance approach now mandated by CRB.
I respectfully request that your office look into this matter and
initiate action to prevent it. As the CRB rate decision is retroactive
to January 1, 2006, please understand that time is of the essence -- as
the immediate impact of this decision could silence many Internet
radio stations forever.
Santa Cruz , CA
|
