Internet Radio In Trouble

[turquoisefyre]

I got this email from the founder of Pandora.com
now I'm not in the States, so I was hoping for some help from the folks on the other side of the big blue pond...

http://broadcaster.pandora.com/dm?id=3B6BFDD0517399AF51528DA1114A3485050542759970 026E

Hi, it's Tim one more time...

Disaster looms! Yesterday a federal court denied a plea to delay the massive increase in rates webcasters must pay the record labels. This means that, absent immediate Congressional action, the new ruinous royalty rates will be going into effect on Monday threatening the future of all internet radio.

This is a very dire situation and I'm writing to ask one more time for your support. The effort you've made over the past four months has been extraordinary and has forced the rapid introduction of the bill, but the committee process has been sluggish and we need to once again remind the representatives of the urgency of this issue. This is perhaps the most important phone call you can make for us.


Please call your Congressional representatives in the House and Senate and ask them to force immediate action on the Internet Radio Equality Act and bring the bill to a vote. It is critical that their phones begin ringing off the hook starting early in the morning. If it's busy, please try again later.

Congressperson Duncan Hunter: (202)225-5672


Senator Barbara Boxer: (202) 224-3553
Senator Dianne Feinstein: (202) 224-3841

I'm sorry that we have to keep asking you for this - but it's our only recourse. We are no match for the legal and legislative strength of the RIAA and we need your help.

Thank you again.


Gratefully,





-Tim Westergren
(Pandora founder)

[Anders Lindman]

That is not good for small internet webcasters. But what the small webcasters can do is to use the vast amount of grassroot music out there on the Web and ask the owners of that music if it can be played for free on their radio shows. Most of the owners of music that is not million-selling mega hits will likely say: "Yes, of course you can play my/our music for free because we get automatic advertisement and increased recognition that way".