Internet radio broadcasters could get a break from a bill introduced this week that would lower the rates they pay for playing music, reports Information Week.
U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo, an Illinois Republican, and Jay Inslee, a Washington Democrat, introduced a bill to overturn a Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) decision that would require Internet broadcasters to pay three times as much as their over-the-airwaves counterparts for the right to play music.
“The Internet has provided us with amazing opportunities to enjoy music, and this unfair action by the Copyright Royalty Board threatens to take it all away,” Manzullo said. “Our legislation overturns the huge rate increases and sets up a system that is fair to Web casters, web users and the artists whose music we all enjoy. And most importantly, it will keep music playing on the Internet.”
The Internet Radio Equality Act, introduced Thursday, could ultimately impact up to 70 million Americans who, according to Nielson Media Research, listen to online music stations each month. The bill would mandate royalty parity for Internet, satellite, and cable radio, as well as jukeboxes and traditional radio.
Pandora founder Tim Westergren says the “Internet Radio Equality Act, H.R. 2060″ will fix the problem and save Internet radio.
The SaveNetRadio Coalition encourages people to contact Congressperson, John M. McHugh, to co-sponsor the Internet Radio Equality Act, H.R. 2060.
Jay Inslee’s Wireless Innovation Act of 2007 would make use of spectrum in the gaps or “white spaces” between broadcast channels to support a wide range of innovative wireless devices, including unlicensed portable devices.
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