March 5, 2007
Mad as hell about the threat to Internet Radio? Do Something!
In Internet radio, RIAA | 56 comments | permalink
1. Sign this online petition and open letter to the US Congress.
2. Send an email to your members of Congress. You can use our suggested text, or write your own.
3. Print out the email (you’ll get a copy) and mail it to your Congresspeople. Follow up with a phone call. You can look up their addresses and phone numbers here.
4. Write a letter to the editor of your favorite magazines and newspapers. If you know someone in the media, let them know what’s going on. Have them read my post below, if you like.
5. Don’t panic. Together we can save the medium that we all love. We have the passion to make it happen!
6. Digg this post to help spread the word.
Sphere It
Sorry to hear of your troubles. I posted a link to your site on my blog.
R. Ballardini
I urge everyone to use the link to write your elected officials. An online petition is nice show of outrage, but generally not worth anything more than that (see: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.htm for a good explanation why).
[…] webcasters and fellow DJ’s. Although there are movements to help change this decision (see: Save our Internet Radio). Hopefully congress will intervene (as they did with the Small Webcaster Settlement Act of […]
I feel, if the Internet radio stations make some money from their advertisers
they should pay something to the artist. It’s like some of the clubs out there
that have open jam nights, to offer entertainment to the public that the club
owner gets for free. So it’s not all about giving artist exposer. It’s all about
earning a profit with little expense going out. I do like the Internet radio for
that it does give an artist a chance to be herd, but if the station is in the
business to make money then the artist should be paid something.
Carl:
Read my post from 3/4/07 or read the FAQ. You’ll see that we are already paying 10%-12% of our gross revenue to performance copyright owners (artists or - in most cases - the record label they signed their rights away to). We also pay an addition 4% or so to songwriters of the music we play.
These new rates are well in excess of our TOTAL income, both now and in the forseeable future. That’s hardly “a little expense going out”.
-bg
What does this mean to the Blues music community
With the looming possibility of XM and Serious satellite radio stations merging, and now this, the Blues community–it’s artists, and the many people worldwide who enjoy the music and support its artists– this matter cannot be taken lightly. We have worked for years for the too little airplay that we have been given. So for us (and for other musical genres that have been too long neglected by corporate radio because we were not seen as part of the maintstream/pop music) this spells a major step backwards.
Although Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Entercom and Citadel Broadcasting have agreed to pay a record $12.5 million fine to the FCC for payola charges for which they deny responsibility. These companies admit no wrongdoing, but they’re settling allegations they secretly took wads of cash and gifts from major record labels to play certain songs on the radio. There has never been this kind of money in the Blues to buy airplay and put things on a equal footing with these corporate giants. Internet radio offered a means to reach the people worldwide who enjoyed our music, a means that until recently that did not exist. What internet radio offered was a voice for these aritsts.
Although radio stations have agreed to set aside some 4200 hours over the next three years that they will give to independent musicians, because of the numbers of independent musicians within the Blues alone, this music will again be relegated to a sparsely rewarded one hour segment once a week (if given time at all.) Many of its artists will again go unheard.
For the first time, webcasters and internet radio stations were airing this music, and many such stations and its artists were enjoying an international audience.
Save Our Internet Radio. It offers an alternative for listeners and a future for musicians worldwide.
www.crossharpchronicles.com/
www.live365.com/stations/bluesharphousepart
As the owner of a Netherlands-based Internet radio (Radio Oh la la) and a huge fan of Soma FM, I feel powerless at not being allowed to sign a petition because I’m not an American or an American resident.
Believe me, if I could sign I would and so would dozens of my friends and family.
If anyone has any tips, mail me!
Natasha
[…] out several recommendations as to what you can do to help prevent this. Those recommendations are here. Me personally? I signed the online petition, sent emails to my representatives (Coleman, […]
I really hope that this bill can be prevented. It would be a shame if internet radio would die in its infancy.
Sony/BMG, Warner music, EMI and Universal and all other RIAA labels, please, think again before supporting this bill. You are killing your own future here. Don’t be afraid of this medium, embrace it.
Paying per listener for the right to play songs is just as stupid as paying per reader to publish an ad in a magazine. You don’t do that, don’t ask others to do the same.
A blanket licence, like you have for radio-stations, would be much better.
Please add this to the post:
http://digg.com/music/Petition_to_Save_Internet_Radio
This links to the petition Bill started.
I have no words. I am the owner an operator of my own internet radio station (Saw*Kick Radio) and would not be pleased if I had to close the doors to my operation just because someone wasn’t making enough money.
Seeing that a TINY percentage of the fees have been going to the actual artists and creators of music, these fees are already GROSSLY misplaced. It is completely unfair to force niche broadcasters and artists off the digital airwaves for the sake of paying the salary for a team of lawyers.
Technically, you can not be legislated into bankrupcy court or out of business. So while an appeal is taking place, you would still be allowed to operate.
Nevertheless, we all seem to be fighting a deep greed fueled by useless money grubbing accountants and board room profiteers.
The RIAA has a long and embarrassing history of shooting itself in the foot, and if this does pass, they’ll be back to losing massive amounts of revenue to P2P-networks, etc. (somehow, they’ve lost sight of the fact that Internet Radio is actually helping the music industry as a whole).
It’s remarkably clear that the ONLY reason they’ve singled out internet radio is that the big 5 have little-to-no influence over I.R. programming. For instance, one thing they haven’t properly explained in their argument is why I.R. broadcasts are “digital copies” and Sirius, XM, cable or digital radio, for that matter, are not (since when is satellite radio not “digital”? And what about all those TiVo’s - which are essentially hard-drives - attached to satellite feeds?). Their argument is as flawed as their old-school-racketeering-marketing techniques.
As someone who makes a fair amount of money every quarter from music royalties, I find it absolutely disgusting that an organization designed to HELP me prosper, is working so hard to take away what most of us (and by “us” I mean the actual songwriters and musicians) in the music industry feel is the greatest music-marketing tool ever devised.
Don’t e-mail your congress-person, get a piece of paper & a pen and write them. Let them know that you won’t be compelled to vote for someone who allows a group of cash-bloated industry lobbyists to bully hard-working, law & royalty abiding small-business people right out of business.
[…] This petition is the big deal right now. The website “Save Our Internet Radio” has a page with 6 things you can do to help webcasters in this daunting legal battle, and this petition is at the top of the list. Mad as hell about the threat to Internet Radio? Do Something! […]
[…] Internet radio, RIAA | 11 comments | […]
We have added a link to this posting to the home page of Tuner2.com. The problem with our California representation is that our normally progressive people in the House and Senate are beholden to the music industry. (Refer to Senator Feinstein’s support of the odd DRM bill that just won’t die. It is at direct odds with digital media device makers in Silicon Valley.) We need to let them know that they cannot favor the music monopolies over the needs of the small broadcaster!
[NOTE: Decisions by the CRB are outrageous, and frankly need to be ridiculed. This is really the last straw. I forward this here for those who wish to copy or write similar letters to the Artists and Record Companies, as it appears that artists are also beholden. What do the musicians really think?]
3-7-2007
Open Manifesto By Fans for Musicians:
By now, I’m sure you’ve heard that the U.S. Copyright Board has decided to retroactively apply royalty rates against all US webcasters. Almost all webcasters will be affected. Almost all have noted that the rates are detrimental and may actually exceed their revenue by 100%.
The imminent foreclosure of all webcasting is looming on the horizon. The curtailment of free speech and the civil liberties entailed in the ability to appreciate your creative endeavors and all of your hard work will soon come to a close. Terrestrial radio’s ability to promote your work is intrinsically tied to the use of the internet, so don’t think that the stations aren’t going to see this as a reason to consolidate their control of the market and squeeze out any chance of your music getting played if it falls out of public favor. Fame is fleeting, right?
Some people believe that such a government decision cannot stand on its merits. They believe that the outrageousness of the decision will fail upon appeal or a change in the law. They believe that this move by your lobbying and enforcement arm, the RIAA, is simply a bid to create a bargaining position where the real negotiations will happen. Don’t count on it. In the meantime, hundreds of radio sites run by volunteers and your fans are left in legal jeopardy of being bankrupted or sued out of existence.
This whole shameful debacle prompts your fans to ask you: seriously, do you like that we are treated this way? Do you actually believe that people will buy more of your music if they can’t hear it? We’re not debating the legality of downloads or filesharing. We’re saying, does the response by the organizations that claim to represent you, represent your beliefs? Do you support the radical responses of the RIAA?
Let’s review, shall we?
STRIKE ONE. The RIAA coerced Sweden to enforce laws outside of U.S. jurisdiction against Pirate Bay, even though the website is only an index for distribution. Predictably, the Pirate Bay group razzes them, and this causes the balance of political power in Sweden to shift.
STRIKE TWO. The RIAA acts to bust DJs Drama and Cannon for counterfeiting and piracy in Atlanta, even though the DJs were recently signed for contracts and have worked with many hip-hop artists who consented and collaborated with them to create the mixtapes that they were busted for.
STRIKE THREE. The RIAA continues to sue innocent people for downloading music, causing many to settle or spend exorbitant sums on defending themselves. The list includes not only college students, but grandmothers, and families. Meanwhile, top industry executives have admitted that their own kids fileshare, but the consequence is less than a lawsuit.
Basically, do you think that somehow you, your creative interests, or your audience will not be disenfranchised from each other by these actions? Do you truly think that people want to listen to you, if they will be turned into criminals by the record companies? To put it another way: are you so morally-stunted and creatively-limited that you can’t think of a better way to get your art out there in the public? Do you think that being the 1% who make it big-time justifies treating the rest of us like peasants? Do you have the nerve to tell us that we are fools because we want to listen to you more, outside of the constraints of when and how we can listen as dictated by the RIAA?
Dude, you’ve got the whole Internet! Use it!
Of course, some people who are your fans listen to your music and they may thank you for the opportunity, but maybe you’re worried they won’t pay you. Guess what? Sometimes that’s the chance you take. Sometimes people think they can get something for nothing, and do you know why? Because sometimes, let’s face it, your music sucks. People have tried to be polite, but there it is. You’ve might have lost track, you might have sold out. We’re not saying that life can’t get confusing in a Britney-Spears-kinda-way, or that you don’t deserve to be paid and even make big bucks if you’re good. We’re saying that sometimes you’re really, really lame. It’s okay. You’re human like the rest of us.
Now we know you’re under contract to churn out a product and that you have legal responsibilities and mouths to feed. We all gotta start somewhere. And remember the days when you could just sit around and jam some tunes or dream about the big break? And now, you’re attending marketing meetings and starting clothing lines and attending charity banquets and, and … diversifying. But none of that has to do with music.
Deep down you know it. Well guess what? Your fans know it too.
So who told you– in the immortal words of Pink Floyd– that you’d be “riding the gravy train?” Why, it’s the record companies. What held true then, holds true now. Let’s face it, the record companies don’t think you’re very good understanding how markets work, do they? If they did, you would have never started in this business which pays dirt and hazes its best and brightest. And if you sign on the dotted line, then the royalty payments may– or may not– begin. But hey, it’s not your fans who are screwing you. We didn’t make up the creative accounting or the backstabbing to go along with it. And now some of you have lots of money and still don’t know what to do with it.
We’re tired of your silence.
We’re tired of you and your rationalizing.
We’re tired of you not standing up to these bozos in the RIAA.
We’re tired of you not supporting us, when we supported you.
If you’re already speaking up, then contact like-minded musicians.
We pay your salary when we buy your music. We find out about new artists (which is you, if we’ve never heard you before) by listening to stuff we can’t always afford to buy at first, because your packaging is so freakin’ expensive, after the added cost of paying your record company. But tell us, what’s in it for us? If we like you, we listen to you. If you want to get paid, give us a reason. If you want to give us ten good songs, instead of one good song and nine awful ones, then give us the one good song as a single and let the rest go. You’re doing nobody any favors by making us suffer through your atrocious outtakes. We know that creativity doesn’t work like a faucet. You can’t just turn it on or off. You need time to nurture the creative spirit. We understand that.
But did you ever think that music sharing is something that should be done between musicians as well? Of course you do. And some of those musicians are in your audience right now, hampered by the same ridiculous limitations as the rest of your listeners. If their coversong or their mashup sounds better than your original, don’t get jealous. Take it as a compliment. We know some of you are mature enough to do that. And if you don’t have enough talent to begin with, then what are you doing trying to pretend that you do? Do you really want to be labeled a poseur? If you see your fans as competition, then we have no good reason to avoid treating you with the same condescension as you treat us.
So here’s a few friendly suggestions on how to get the ball rolling the next time it’s contract-signing time:
Negotiate a clause that allows you to distribute some of your songs under a Creative Commons copyright, or some sort of free distribution, no strings. Use it to leverage your fan base.
Tell the RIAA to back off, even if you’re not a member. They tend to collect performance fees even when they don’t have a claim. The closer you stick to your fans, the better off you’ll be. You guys need to speak with a unified voice, but it’s not the RIAA, and ASCAP can’t speak for us.
Distribute more amongst yourselves, share your own work with other musicians. Remember, too, the fastest way toward artistic freshness is some cross-pollination between musicians playing a live set. They may be able to bust us, but they can’t bust all of you.
Be prepared to defend your work against theft that tries to monopolize it, like large organizations that claim to look after your rights. The recording company monopoly is an unbalanced market and an absence of freedom. Don’t worry about people who want to listen to your music so badly they want to copy it and tell their friends all about it.
Stay away from the mainstream media. They overexpose you, and you never look good. Avoid all those stupid awards shows.
File for copyright in countries outside of your home jurisdiction, before you even get offered a contract. Consider also filing with countries outside of the Berne Convention. Whatever you do, DON’T give up your claims to international copyright. Instead, sign contracts that limit distribution rights to domestic use only. That way, you still retain some legal options when they want to take you “worldwide,” or you want to do it on your own via the ‘Net.
And don’t worry, we still love you. Now go out there and kick some ass! But be warned, if you don’t do it, some of us will. And we’ll win.
Sincerely,
Your Fans
As an Independent Christian Internet Radio station it is hard for me to conceive how sad all of this is. My Independent Artists and Ministers I air have a platform to be heard that would otherwise not have listeners or the ability for their Ministry to be heard at all. Internet Radio gives this opportunity for them and listeners to hear the fruits of their labor that would otherwise not have the expensive resources. They don’t have the money to promote themselves in the areas that this may be going. Who does? I certainly don’t. I don’t make any money from my Artists and do little advertising. I am about Ministry and giving them a place to expose their Ministry. As much as I understand the royalty issue sometimes Not All That Glitters Is Gold. Sometimes the price is too high and could easily harm those that need Internet Radio the most. I am surely praying about this. In behalf of those on Whitedove Radio and all the other Internet Stations to do what they do.
Be blessed…Crystal Clear
http://www.whitedoveradio.com
http://www.live365.com/stations/spiritmusic?site=spiritmusic
Is there a way for those of us outside the U.S to act?
This is the only media today that offers 100% comercial-free, top quality music streams available all around the world!
WE will not let them kill Independent Internet Radio!
[…] of business. I’m really hoping Radio Paradise doesn’t go the way of the dodo so please sign the petition and mail your […]
internet radion is cool, why the fuck they want to shut it down. i am in favor for internet radio. Guys i am with you, my all support. lets go and save our internet radio.
ok I own a small station, I make $0.00 from my listeners, fans or artists. I pay out of pocket for all my expenses save a donation here or there that doesnt put a dent in the costs. I feature music of indie artists that dont get the exposure anywhere else. This is my hobby, how the hell am I supposed to pay all this money to someone when Im not profiting in any way other than bringing myself some enjoyment and providing a bit of peace and entertainment to a group of dedicated listeners and friends?
Becky
www.radiougly.com
hello Tuner2,
it’s really sad,monopolous and frustrating to know that Internet Radio is also going to get gobbled up by this endemic-money-minded association/organization like they did it to Naster…
why? coz this people do not want poor people have a ggood time… .coz how many listners does one internet rradio have–max 5-7..but our planet has about 7billion people..so what is pinching their asses????So please stop this monopolistic tendency of these so called copyright protectors..these people
survive on our purchases of their musics..so what happens if we dont buy at all..I guess they would be in their own cooked soup!!!!
Sagar
khagendra2005@yahoo.com
There were hearings on this matter on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 in the US House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Although the written transcripts won’t be out for another month or two, there is a video webcast available at http://energycommerce.house.gov/cmte_mtgs/110-ti_hrg.030707.future_radio.shtml. I don’t really have time to watch the whole thing but if someone out there does and could summarize it for the rest of us that would be fabulous. The people running this website: http://blog.wired.com/music/2007/03/congressinal_he.html have promised an update, but I don’t see anything there yet. So I don’t know yet what came out of the hearing and what if anything Congress plans to do. Anyway, I am about to sit down and write letters to my Representatives and Senators.
At the House Subcommittee site http://energycommerce.house.gov/Subcommittees/telint.shtml you can also see if your member of Congress happens to sit on this committee.
Whilst I agree in principle that artistes/composers should get a fair reward for their material how is the amateur broadcaster supposed to be able to continue when they are going to be out of pocket even more so with the impending copy right increases.
If internet radio ceases to exist a lot of unkown bands artistes who deserve to be discovered will go undiscovered.
This has only come about because some jumped up little Hitler thinks that they can rip all of us off
and make a vast fortune.
I
[…] This petition is the big deal right now. The website “Save Our Internet Radio” has a page with 6 things you can do to help webcasters in this daunting legal battle, and this petition is at the top of the list. Mad as hell about the threat to Internet Radio? Do Something! […]
internet radio is a win for everyone. while some artists may not see direct immediate revenue, i can say that listening to the internet that close to my computer puts me that much closer to a store where i can impulse buy someone’s CD right then and there, often from their website where i go to learn more about them. also, the webstream here is managed locally so there’s more jobs. i can listen on-line at work as i can’t get it in on the box radio so i get to hear advertising all day, too.
as this bill doesn’t seem to make sense, it must be getting pushed through by some people who care more about the money than the musicians or the listeners and neither of us, the musicians or the listeners are going to benefit from any of this.
Save KHUM.com’s web stream!!!
Technically speaking, terrorism has been in another shape. This time its in an electronic shape where the The Copyright Royalty Board wants to kill the internet radio. The victims are broadcasters and listeners.
??!! what is your objective? TO MAKE THE USA AN AWKWARD COUNTRY!!!
is that your objective? WAKE UP! We are the most advanced country in the world, we dont want any backward steps. The internet radio ough to live.
I consider myself an internet radio pioneer having first broadcast my show, Blues On Tap, in February ‘96. I wrote an “open letter” (http://www.mp3newswire.net/stories/letter.html), to the RIAA back on 11/18/99 asking them to explain to me just who would benefit from their efforts to “regulate” internet radio. There has never been a response. My biggest complaint about the RIAA, and the law makers was and is still, where is the accountability? Where could I go and examine just how these royalities are dispersed? And how did they arrive at the proposed royalty structure?
The whole thing gave me the same feeling I used to get when I might ask a young child, (after they did something stupid), “Why did you do that?” And they would say, “I dunno!” So, although I was very disappointed, and frustrated to do so, I discontinued production of my show prior to the implementation of the then proposed royalties.
I wish those of you, who have plans to combat the latest regressive efforts of the RIAA, great success.
It would truly be a victory for all but the RIAA!
Steamin’ Stan
Here’s an idea for something to do: be happy. For years, the big labels have had all kinds of huge advantages, legal and illegal, over independent labels. Now finally, due to their own incredible stupidity, the RIAA has opened the door for independent labels to completely take over a major medium by which people are exposed to new music (I’m assuming that the RIAA’s efforts are driving these new rates). All that needs to happen is for a few moderately clever independent labels to license their music for fees that are affordable by internet radio stations. It’s hard to imagine that a struggling label wouldn’t jump at an opportunity to virtually guarantee significant airplay on every internet radio station (format permitting). If enough labels or bands do so, then we can have internet radio that’s palatable to listeners with a conscience.
As far as I can tell, nothing stands in the way of non-RIAA rights holders licensing their music at different fees if they like. It seems like now would be a good time to recognize that internet airplay is valuable commodity, and if the major labels aren’t interested in it, there are certainly smaller labels who would be. If it turns out that the RIAA members ultimately aren’t willing to let anyone listen to their music under reasonable terms, then so be it. There’s music I’ll miss, but there’s also music I’m missing now that I’ll get to enjoy more.
Of course this doesn’t work for all categories, but it seems like a huge opportunity nonetheless.
Bill, we are a local ISP in Santa Cruz California and many of us listen to Internet radio regularly. We love Radio Paradise. We have sent word out to our 10,000 or so customers in a newsletter and posted links to the petition on our Web site.
Hope this gets results. And I hope that Internet radio stations and listeners remember to get involved in other issues of Internet consolidation like Net Neutrality. We need diversity in the industry to encourage innovation and keep prices low.
BG replies:
Thanks! We appreciate the help in getting the word out.
I am in England, but most of my favourite internet radio stations are based in the USA. Why? Regulations and costs involved are prohibitive here so only established am/fm players can afford them. Meanwhile, costs in the US with services like Live365, SWCast co-op etc. allow for amateurs and enthusiasts to have their own stations with their own unique style and flavour to flourish.
I was so excited few years ago to buy DAB (digital audio broadcast) radio which promised huge variety but now delivers more of the same old tired FM formula. I am bored to tears with big-boys radio and only listen to web radio - at home and at work. Thousands of stations, tons of choice = I love it.
Internet radio has turned into the runaway success with new entrants getting established quickly. Balance of power is shifting as more and more people are turning their backs to am/fm/dab in favour of web. RIAA want to achieve same thing in the USA that plaques UK webcasters - hike costs and drive everyone out of business, therefore asserting control over web broadcasting which looks set to become more popular than traditional radio delivery medium.
Would the RIAA crap only be valid on US soil? Otherwise just offshore the radiostations? I-net bandwidth is cheapest here (make that Amsterdam). BTW i saw a mention of sweden and piratebay — PB is well alive and kicking!
Is there any idea how we as non US based people can react (we’re not allowed to sign the petition)?
regards,
willem
[…] under instantly when this takes effect. If this happens to frustrate the hell out of you, there are things you can do about it. listen | news | tour | discography | contact | mailing list | gallery | bio | […]
As per usual when a decent radio station wether through the airwaves/internet comes along and fills a void in the market.
Goverments and moneymen appear with the begging bowl to con more money out off small buisness!!!!!
I,m not a US citizen,but I do listen to Smoothlounge on a regular basis,if at home or at work.
It make’s the old day zip by and believe it or not most off my itunes have made up from your playlists.
I hope you fight your Congress on the same attitude that they like to remind everyone on the “Freedom Front”i.e The freedom to the American dream Ha Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!! sorry for the poor pun.
Hope everythng can be fixed via PUBLIC DEMAND!!!!!!
Can we help from the other side off the pond,please let us know!!!!!!!
Cheers
Keith McDermot
\
A post-script to the last message.There,s an old saying over here! and it go’s like this- ” You are a free man or person ( got to be PC here ) as long as you,ve got a Pound in your pocket or in your case a Dollar”!!!!!!!
Let us, as an act of protest, organize a ONE-DAY BOYCOTT by not buying any recorded music.
Keeping that $15 to $30 dollars in your pocket will send a strong message to the vampires at the RIAA.
Organize locally to hand out flyers in front of your favorite music store on that day. Prepare to be ‘moved on’ by police but insist on your rights to free, peaceful and lawful assembly (obey soliciting rules as they exist in your locality, they may restrict how close you can get to the front of the stores in questions, etc.)
please save internet radio!
Save Internet Radio!…
http://www.saveourinternetradio.com/
And make sure to sign the electronic petition (c’mon, it only takes a sec….):
http://www.petitiononline.com/SIR2007r/petition.html
My favorite station and their story of what’s going to happen and …
Internet radio should never be ruled, or stopped. I work in an inviroment where no radio station will pick up in my office and my company would certainly not purchase radio for my sake of sanity. I listen to different music most every day, music I would not hear with out the internet radio, music I buy to listen to at home and in my auto. How do you view new music if it is not available, I would certainly not buy music I have not listened to. Why would you consider stopping internet Radio, Hey lets just ban all radio stations and see now many cd’s you sell.
Unfortunately, as an Australian, all I can do is sit back and hope for the best.
Another issue that is completely out of any possible control of mine, much like the net neutrality issue.
Hope we can get this crap stopped, and go back to some easy listening of online radio.
This Copyright Royalty Board better not be attempting to collect fees on the songs of independent artists who do not want internet radio stations to be charged for using their work.
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If it turns out they are, they -may- find themselves on the receiving end of a lawsuit. As far as I’m concerned, that would be them overextending their authority.
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Perhaps we need a way of distinguishing musical acts that are ‘internet-radio friendly’. Perhaps a symbol or a marker of some kind? That way, the record labels that are demanding this fee can be left to rot. Their loss is our gain.
[…] » Mad as hell about the threat to Internet Radio? Do Something! Save Our Internet Radio: Don’t le… […]
WorldFusionRadio.com has been Webcasting for four years. I have always been 100% legal, paying hundreds of dollars in royalties to artists every year. I have never made a profit and never will because I don’t play mainstream music. I have a small but dedicated following, half in the U.S., half “overseas.” Even though I play artists who mostly aren’t members of RIAA, the RIAA power grab would still affect me. That’s because RIAA wants to tax every single Interent radio station, even if you don’t play their recordings! RIAA wants to change me an additional $1,000 a year, not to the artists, but to them. RIAA says they will share the money they collect with artists (even artists not members of RIAA) but who actually believes that?
This is about an outmoded corporate dinosaur desperately attempting to restablish its monopoly on the music industry. Will they succeed? Probably not, but let’s not take any chances. The corporate dinosaur may be deaf, blind, and stupid, but it can still wreck it all for everyone and it does have friends in the Bush Administration. Free the Internet! Free Internet Radio!
I just heard your station on itunes. I am in Boston, and I was shocked to hear that internet radio is under attack, and I agree that the musicians should be paid a portion of the stations profits but not by the percentage of listeners, because not all sations can afford this. It is all so political, just another way to shut up and shut down all that is independent so corporate crap can reign
Royalities for music etc should be paid by our I.S.P
My reason behind this is :-
1 we are charged a fair amount for bandwidth…
2 the industry no we going to download something from time to time..
3 this will stop little fry from getting fines for download(saying the pirates)
4 plus those who play music radio shows are helping to drag up old songs etc to revamp them…(mmmm more royalities if sell in shops)
5 On a final note we all pay for broadband..there make a fortune..alittle off this can go back to entertainment industry…And stop people getting harsed..or fined …
We need to grab people like ISP and suggest this to them…….get of our backs you profit making fat cats….make a few price on bandwidth covering royalitiies…to put back into entertainment…why double pay , we promote more music than most??????
Love to have a reply from richard branson and other isp providers. on this subject….
It seems the initial firestorm of responders faded quickly after the first few weeks. I hope that is not an indicator of a weakened resolve to save Internet radio! The freedoms we enjoy are only as strong as the laws protecting them. Those laws are enacted in response to the will of the people. Internet radio will survive when we organize and band together. Notify your representatives that you WANT continued FREE access to Intenet radio stations of your CHOICE. For concerned listeners living outside the US, contact representatives in your native countries. International diplomacy can be leveraged in the course of domestic policy formation and legislation. Freedoms of speech are not exclusively American institutions. Free Internet access is the medium which enables that freedom regardless of traditional geo-political boundaries or other considerations. We’ve all got a stake in those very freedoms!!! Let our voices be heard NOW or be silenced.
What’s that ? American laws can affect a real fan of Radio Paradise, listening 8h/day that excellent Radio from France ? What a shame !
We are becomong a government of terroists, affraid of thier own people and freedom of speach. While cow-towing to big money. You can bet the artists wouldn’t see a penny.—SARGE
Well im a big supporter in the internet radio…CronixRadio.com is what i listen to….and sadly to hear that the act is upon you all….I’m showing my support to this and emailed my congress…Hope it counts and helps out a lot….
I listen to Internet radio, but can’t sign any of the online petitions as I live in the UK. I want to do my bit to help, but don’t know how to. Any advice?
Here! Here! Me too, but what can we do? You do realize that this is all a pre-planned ploy to de-sensitize people?! If i put in a bid that’s stupidly outrageous and then let people battle it, then re-submit a “more reasonable” plan (the one i had intended in the first place) then the people will be fooled into thinking they have won! don’t allow them 1 cent of your freedom!!
I think this is all a ploy to run people like Alex Jones and Art Bell out of business. i think the act of applying retro fees is extremely unlawful. how is anyone going to know that they should have stopped transmitting a year ago to not be affected by this? its outrageous! fight the good fight people! Long live FREEDOM! Long live internet radio! You don’t pay to listen to a radio, so you shouldn’t here either. Difference is, they won the battle over the airwaves decades ago, but people tend to forget that!
And again globalism and the government tries to destroy free speech and the circulation of information. :\
Wish I could sign the petition, but I live in the UK.
To be honest, I’m surprised a petition was even allowed, with the state of western politics. We must get our voices heard, you can’t silence the truth.
It’s interesting to note that; 1. - Copyright fees are currently being paid, but not royalties, by internet radio.
2. - If the new rates are enacted, internet radio will become bankrupt. That means NO fees will be paid to ANYONE.
3. - Either way you slice it, the money that is being sought after will NEVER be found, and the money currently being paid will cease.
The idiots who thought of this bill are slitting their own throats, and to pour some salt in the wound, stop buying the CD’s and supporting those who make money on bands that are in favor of this bill. I would like to see a list of bands and musicians for AND against the rate hike, just so I know who to support and who not to support.