C'est Grave

Internet radio is more threatened than ever.

Comments

[melanie]

I do NOT want to see internet radio die. But I feel kinda helpless outside of the few things I can do.

dadgum greedy ass hats....

[Chris]

Damn The Man!!

[Margaret]

I signed the petition; is there anything else I can do? Oui, c'est grave.

[Michael C]

I listen to Accuradio and they are asking for listeners to sign a petition. I can't believe services like this may need to end!

[Emil]

That's the thing, Michael. They don't need to end!

I signed the petition and had it sent off to my Senators and Congressman. I got an anemic response from one Senator, awaiting responses from the other two.

From Senator Feistein's response:

The new rate that was established is less than a 5 percent increase of the rate in effect from 1998-2005.

Sure, but then it jumps up to 44.35% (Docket No. 2005-1 CRB DTRA, p.4, para. 2)!

I am a strong believer in intellectual property rights and believe that artists and performers have earned the right to be fairly compensated for the broadcast of their works by webcasters who benefit - financially and otherwise - from their talents. Without fair compensation, these artists would not create their works.

Does she honestly believe that artists and performers will see any of this money? And "webcasters who benefit--financially and otherwise"? I wonder just how many webcasters are profiting such that they must pay more than radio broadcasters who are nothing but profit-driven? And those who benefit "otherwise"? Hmmm, if I were to start a music webcast, it would primarily be to share music that I love; the benefit being that those listening would like what I'm sharing, would be turned on to new music, and maybe seek out more of that music for themselves. So cheerleading for the artists is something I would have to pay for?

I wonder just who these Copyright Royalty Judges are. Considering the appointments nominated and made during this administration, it's not too far a leap for me to wonder about their past and present affiliations.

Oh, and this reminds of your post, Ali, about the Violent Femmes being used in a Wendy's commercial. I wonder if the Femmes actually own that song, or if the rights are owned by the label...