Lifeline for threatened internet radio stations

The threat to internet broadcasters posed by the decision of the Copyright Royalty Board in the USA to treble royalty charges and enforce the increase retrospectively to 2006 seems to have been lifted.

U.S. Representatives. Don Manzullo and Jay Inslee have introduced bipartisan legislation to protect Internet music. The Internet Radio Equality Act would effectively reverse the ruling of the Copyright Royalty Board.

“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 legislation will ensure that niche broadcasters can stay in business and keep the variety in internet radio that listeners have come to expect.