The Internet Radio Equality Act Would Level the Playing Field for

Webcasters

    NEW ORLEANS, April 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The SaveNetRadio
 coalition today applauded Jay Inslee (D-WA) for introducing legislation
 that could save thousands of webcasters from bankruptcy. "The Internet
 Radio Equality Act" would reverse a March 2nd ruling by the Copyright
 Royalty Board (CRB) that increased the fees webcasters pay to play music
 online by a stunning 300 to 1200 percent.
     "Since the CRB's March 2nd decision to dramatically and unfairly
 increase webcaster royalty rates, millions of Internet radio listeners,
 webcasters and artists have called on Congress to take action," said Jake
 Ward of the SaveNetRadio coalition. "Today Congress took notice, and we
 thank Mr. Inslee for leading the charge to save music diversity on the
 Internet."
     The Internet Radio Equality Act would vacate the CRB'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 standards
 applying to webcasters would align with the standard that applies to
 satellite radio royalty arbitrations.
     "The illogical and unrealistic royalty rates set by the CRB have placed
 the future of an entire industry in jeopardy," stated Ward. "This bill is a
 critical step to preserve this vibrant and growing medium, and to develop a
 truly level playing field where webcasters can compete with satellite
 radio. The Internet Radio Equality Act is the last best hope webcasters,
 artists, and listeners have to keep the music playing. I know New Orleans
 will be glad to hear it!"
     SaveNetRadio, together with WWOZ, the official radio station of Jazz
 Fest 2007, is sponsoring the HOT 8 Jazz band in a live Internet concert
 during the New Orleans festival on May 2nd. The coalition is also educating
 Jazz Fest musicians about the possibility that Internet radio - an
 important medium for all musicians, but independent musicians in particular
 - will all but die on May 15 when the CRB royalty is scheduled to take
 effect.
     The bill would also reset the royalty rules for noncommercial radio
 such as NPR stations that offer Internet radio music.
     For more information on the SaveNetRadio coalition visit
 http://www.savenetradio.org.
 
 

SOURCE SaveNetRadio