US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19
frequent flier
|
OP
frequent flier
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19 |
I like to hear a lot of new music, and I have no patience for commercial (the name says a lot) radio. For a long time, one of my main sources has been Internet radio: it reminds me of late 60's FM, when everything sounded new, exciting and important. I am a strong believer in paying artists for their work - I support and pay for subscriptions to Internet radio, and then I buy the CDs from musicians who really move me. I don't trade rips, but have gone out of my way to hunt down and buy original CDs of music (& extra copies to give to others) for which someone has already sent me a ripped copy. So along comes a ruling from the (American) Copyright Royalty Board which could drive a stake through the heart of the most dynamic, consumer-oriented and artist-friendly music exposure system ever created: Internet radio. If they achieve this measure of control, then it will have a chilling effect on the independent, creative artists who don't have (and maybe don't want) a big studio contract. Uneffing believeable (but all too real). ====== RAIN: Radio and Internet Newsletter The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) has announced its decision on Internet radio royalty rates, rejecting all of the arguments made by Webcasters and instead adopting the "per play" rate proposal put forth by SoundExchange(a digital music fee collection body created by the RIAA). ... (Our) math suggests that the royalty rate decision — for the performance alone, not even including composers' royalties! — is in the in the ballpark of 100% or more of total revenues.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7 |
Dumb question -- do conventional radio stations have to pay royalties when they play music ? I kinda thought they did but not 100% sure.
In other words, is this proposal saying "internet radio needs to pay royalties just like regular radio" or is it setting royalty fees which are effectively higher than regular radio ?
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39 M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1 LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301 |
Quote:
do conventional radio stations have to pay royalties when they play music?
Stations do not pay royalties for each song they play, because playing the music is basically free advertising for the recording artists. They do however pay licensing fees to agencies such as ASCAP or BMI.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19
frequent flier
|
OP
frequent flier
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19 |
Licence fees are payable for every public performance - if a radio station (or restaurant, elevator etc.) plays recorded music then a few cents for each song is supposed to be paid to the appropriate performance rights organization: BMI, ASCAP, SOCAN. These agencies then distribute a portion of fees back to the recording artists. It's a lossy system - most of the money gets skimmed off - but at least the people who create the music get a little bit of the cash. The new fees are not levied for the sake of the artists. These fees are specific to digital music, and do not apply to broadcast stations (even if broadcasting digitally). The digital performance fees apply fairly specifically to Internet radio and are collected by an agency called SoundExchange, which is essentially a group of lawyers fronting for the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). These fees don't go to the artists: they go to the "copyright holder" which is almost always the recording label (Sony Columbia, Warner, EMI). The labels are specifically targeting Internet radio - and, by extension, your legal right (in the USA) - to control and prevent digital transmission of any recorded material. The next step will be to disable any type of in-the-home digital transmission (using Sonos or any other media bridge) unless transaction fees are paid. This is the whole point of the HDCP "copy protection" in the HDMI interface - to limit where, when, how often (and eventually why, who and what) media gets played: it will all be licenced and fee payable. Internet 2.0 indeed; American laws want to take us back fifty years and they will probably succeed. I wonder how the publicly funded Canadian radio stations CBC and Espace Musique (two of my main feeds, SQ is better in packets then over the air) will react. The new fees appear to affect all Internet music streams terminating in the US, and even though low-volume "non-commercial" webcasters get a break any site with more than about 15k listeners per month will have to pay premium rates. Another case of a politicians and lobbyists extending special-interest protection via legislation across international borders.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7 |
Got it. So this is an attempt to compensate the record companies for the revenues they claim they will lose as a result of people "recording" the songs played over the Internet rather than buying the music through some other channel.
Internet streaming radio seems like the least of their concerns -- downloading higher quality rips still seems like the real problem. I wouldn't have thought that your typical Internet radio had any higher effective sound quality than FM or satellite radio does today.
I think I understand the concerns now. This does suck. Thanks !!
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39 M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1 LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805 |
So...... Being a big fan of Radio Pradise and Pandora, what actions can I take to help??
Most of the music I buy is stuff I've been introduced to by RP or Pandora.
LIFE IS SHORT. DON'T BE A DICK.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19
frequent flier
|
OP
frequent flier
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19 |
This story is still unfolding, but there is a lot of rage building. I don't have any brilliant insight into what can be done, but here's what www.saveourinternetradio.com has to say: Yikes! What can I do? Independent webcasters are currently working together to come up with a strategy to save their stations and the industry they love. That may involve asking people to contact their members of Congress or other authorities, but it’s a bit early in the game for a coherent strategy to have gelled.
The best thing that concerned listeners can do at this point is to get the word out about what’s happening. If you see a post on here or elsewhere that resonates with you, Digg it. Partcipate in the ongoing discussions about this issue on Digg, Slashdot, radio station websites, and elsewhere.
If you are a member of the press, you may be uniquely qualified to help save the stations we all love. If you feel the same sense of outrage that the radio station operators and their listeners do, then please feel free to contact any of the posters here to get more background on what’s happening.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,703
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,703 |
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,077 Likes: 7
Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
|
Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,077 Likes: 7 |
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805 |
LIFE IS SHORT. DON'T BE A DICK.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 692
aficionado
|
aficionado
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 692 |
As someone who used to work in "Non-Commercial" radio, this is an outrage.
Thanks for the heads up.
Petition signed.
WhatFurrer
"Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup..."
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805 |
I've just spent the last few hours on Radio Paradise message boards. There are some really good suggestions on what can be done by us.
I would strongly suggest looking at or joining that forum/message board if you're the least bit concerned over this topic.
PLEASE TRY TO HELP!
LIFE IS SHORT. DON'T BE A DICK.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,471
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,471 |
I signed the petition too - I'm #1359.
Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,859
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,859 |
Wow...I was number 501 about 4 hours ago.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805 |
Quote:
Wow...I was number 501 about 4 hours ago.
Now thats good news.
LIFE IS SHORT. DON'T BE A DICK.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 828
aficionado
|
aficionado
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 828 |
i was 27xx im not sure the exact number. short term memory is not so....ahhh what was i typing? Jake
------------------------------------------------ Leave the gun, Take the canolis.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,210
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,210 |
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,833
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,833 |
Rick
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
Signed.
I think I was 3236.
*********** "Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19
frequent flier
|
OP
frequent flier
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19 |
The story continues to build. Silencing Internet Radio Internet Radio has been sentenced to death. | Digital Copyright CanadaI'll Fight For You, Internet RadioIf I actually lived in the US (instead of just being effectively governed by its laws) I would write my congressperson and senator. As a Canadian. I feel somewhat powerless. This is madness. The American First Amendment is supposed to protect free speech... but if corporations like Gannet and ClearChannel control all of the most powerful media outlets, then all other single voices are just trees falling in a forest without an audience.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 537
aficionado
|
aficionado
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 537 |
I got this email from Pandora today: Hi, it's Tim from Pandora, I'm writing today to ask for your help. The survival of Pandora and all of Internet radio is in jeopardy because of a recent decision by the Copyright Royalty Board in Washington, DC to almost triple the licensing fees for Internet radio sites like Pandora. The new royalty rates are irrationally high, more than four times what satellite radio pays and broadcast radio doesn't pay these at all. Left unchanged, these new royalties will kill every Internet radio site, including Pandora. In response to these new and unfair fees, we have formed the SaveNetRadio Coalition, a group that includes listeners, artists, labels and webcasters. I hope that you will consider joining us. Please sign our petition urging your Congressional representative to act to save Internet radio: http://capwiz.com/saveinternetradio/issues/alert/?alertid=9631541 Please feel free to forward this link/email to your friends - the more petitioners we can get, the better. Understand that we are fully supportive of paying royalties to the artists whose music we play, and have done so since our inception. As a former touring musician myself, I'm no stranger to the challenges facing working musicians. The issue we have with the recent ruling is that it puts the cost of streaming far out of the range of ANY webcaster's business potential. I hope you'll take just a few minutes to sign our petition - it WILL make a difference. As a young industry, we do not have the lobbying power of the RIAA. You, our listeners, are by far our biggest and most influential allies. As always, and now more than ever, thank you for your support. tim_signature.jpg -Tim Westergren (Pandora founder)
2xM80 VP180 2xQS8 2xM3 HSU STF3 LG 60PS11 Denon 3808 ATI 1506 LCR 2xATI 1502 Oppo BDP-83
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
|
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
One appeal has failed already.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
Capwiz isn't exactly a "petition"; it's an automated, web-based political mobilization tool (my verbiage, not theirs).
I'm splitting hairs, but I do think the distinction is important.
Elected officials are unlikely to see "beyond the trees" when they get hundreds or thousands of the exact same email.
I think that writing your representatives is good. I'm not clear about the value of using other people's tools and words to do so.
I also think petitions can be very valuable, if used strategically.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805 |
There is tons of information on Radio Paradises home page on what can be done to help. PLEASE get involved if you listen to any interenet radio.
LIFE IS SHORT. DON'T BE A DICK.
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102 |
Being from Canada, today (May 16) Pandora is blocking me from their site...this totally sucks, I usually listen to them all day at work.
Geeze...what now? Back to somafm I guess!
|
|
|
Re: US Legislation proposes to kill Internet radio
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 946 Likes: 2
aficionado
|
aficionado
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 946 Likes: 2 |
I feel your pain. I am cut-off as well although right now I am listening to radioparadise.com as an alternative. The group at Pandora are very sympathetic about this issue and appear to be doing what they can legally to expand their streaming in North America. We'll have to wait to see what transpires.
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics24,945
Posts442,484
Members15,617
|
Most Online2,082 Jan 22nd, 2020
|
|
0 members (),
1,228
guests, and
6
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|