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Geomancer
Ensign
Joined: Jul 29, 2004
Member#: 7499
Posts: 33
Location: Norfolk, VA
   
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 Posted:
Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:28 pm Post subject: New Royalty Rates for Webcasts |
 
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I came across something online today that is quite unsettling for anyone who enjoys internet radio.
Kurt Hanson's RAIN - March 2nd, 2007
The link is to a newsletter for internet radio broadcasters and spells out what the new ruling by the Copyright Royalty Board means. I will let the article explain the details.
Thankfully, it appears that stations which allow listeners to pick the playlist are exempt from the changes. But I still think it worth mentioning.
Some people are expressing outrage that the royalties, which don't apply to FM broadcasts, will spell doom for some internet stations.
Now, I am all for paying an artist their dues. There is nothing I would rather spend my money on than music that has had/ will have an impact on my life. I support the musicians I listen to by buying their goods or attending their performances and encourage everyone else to do the same.
But it seems to me that the record labels, or collectively - the RIAA, is so frenzied over their plummeting revenues over the last few years that they are striking out, grasping for whatever they can to gain back some ground.
And they continue to make bad choices.
Choices that, I believe, will only perpetuate their dilema. See, I think internet radio aids in artist appreciation and attracts new listeners to purchase recordings. Artists who are largely overlooked by terrestrial broadcasters. And they are only shooting themselves in the foot by making it harder for webcasters to do what they do best: bring new music to unfamiliar ears, and spread it's popularity.
Now, the exact wording of the ruling is to be released soon and I can only hope that some changes will be made before this all goes into effect. But I at least hope that I have done some small part to spread the word and let others know about what is going on.
I love listening to Streaming Soundtracks and Entranced.FM (and maybe, once in a while, some other stations  ) and have enjoyed making my small contributions. Maybe I should be doing more... Not to be an alarmist, but I've been paying attention to the RIAA over the past few years and its actions are reminiscent of the Salem witch trials! (I KNOW it sounds crazy, but I see it!  )
Again, because the 24seven family graciously allows us to make our own music selections, it won't be affected by this ruling. But changes ARE coming to the industry and I want to help before things get even more out of control.
JERIC (et al) - What is your position on this? Do you have any concerns? If so, what can be done? |
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 JERIC 
Fleet Admiral (Proprietor)
Joined: Feb 12, 2002
Member#: 1
Posts: 4939
Location: Richmond, VA
 
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Posted:
Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:20 am Post subject: |
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I agree with you. But this actually affects us. You know who is not affected, webcasters that don’t pay royalties. It would seem to make more sense to focus on trying to get more webcasters to actually pay royalties (like our competition) rather then focusing on the ones that actually do. They could instead pay their lawyers to start with SHOUTcast by writing “non-payers” friendly letters that they should really be paying royalties (give them a list of ways to license: LoudCity, Live365, SWCast/JPL Program, or individually). For the ones that do not comply the letters can become increasing aggressive until it’s eventually a “cease and desist”. They have nothing to lose by doing this and everything to gain, e.g. more money, educating people about properly compensating artists, and getting their agenda across with good PR.
Would it make more sense for me to raise the rates for VIP to $12/month instead of trying to get more VIPs? Absolutely not! They can’t get blood from a stone. We’ve been doing this for going on 6 years and we still can’t afford our first employee, ME! I’m not going to stop trying though.
This is going to have huge negative impact on the industry. This could take an already volatile Live365 down for the count. And then they would miss out on hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue per month. Maybe it will take something like that to happen for them to wise up. It makes me wonder if this movement is being lobbied by Satellite radio since Internet Radio is its biggest competitor. The stations that do survive will be forced to cram more ads down your throat, essentially becoming like terrestrial radio. One of the main appeals of Internet Radio is most stations are ad free.
Hopefully this will be appealed.
_________________
"Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?." -Maximus
Please do not PM me. Use email, Feedback or Contact Us links. |
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terminalterror
Cadet 3
Joined: Dec 19, 2006
Member#: 16663
Posts: 12
Location: Oxford, UK
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Posted:
Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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That is pretty ridiculous, particularly the analysis on the article linked to that estimates that the new royalties will be over 100% of most station's revenue.
Fantastic logic there. |
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 Alchemist
Vice Admiral (Moderator)
Joined: Dec 30, 2003
Member#: 4272
Posts: 1621
Location: Annecy
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Posted:
Wed Mar 07, 2007 2:42 am Post subject: |
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After reading the article again, I must say I'm a bit upset.
Is there something we can do? Sign a petition? Boycott the RIAA in some way? Send them a mail?
_________________
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe" - Blade Runner |
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JERIC
Fleet Admiral (Proprietor)
Joined: Feb 12, 2002
Member#: 1
Posts: 4939
Location: Richmond, VA
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Caliburn
Guest
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Posted:
Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:07 am Post subject: |
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deja vu |
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Alchemist
Vice Admiral (Moderator)
Joined: Dec 30, 2003
Member#: 4272
Posts: 1621
Location: Annecy
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Posted:
Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:45 am Post subject: |
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Unfortunatly, yes. And politicians don't really understand what are the stakes due to the very technical nature of these law projects... |
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JERIC
Fleet Admiral (Proprietor)
Joined: Feb 12, 2002
Member#: 1
Posts: 4939
Location: Richmond, VA
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Posted:
Wed Mar 07, 2007 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.savenetradio.org/
_________________
"Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?." -Maximus
Please do not PM me. Use email, Feedback or Contact Us links. |
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Caray
Lieutenant Commander
Joined: Oct 17, 2002
Member#: 243
Posts: 408
Location: France
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Posted:
Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:47 am Post subject: |
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It's frustrating not to be able to do something us 'foreigners'.
BBC says the rate would go from 0.08 cents per track to 0.19 cents by 2010.
Caray
_________________
My reality cheque bounced |
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terminalterror
Cadet 3
Joined: Dec 19, 2006
Member#: 16663
Posts: 12
Location: Oxford, UK
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Posted:
Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Caray wrote: |
It's frustrating not to be able to do something us 'foreigners'.
BBC says the rate would go from 0.08 cents per track to 0.19 cents by 2010.
Caray |
Seems like there are several problems. Firstly the 0.08 cents per song (according to the linked article) would be more than 100% of the revenue of most stations.
Secondly, this is enacted retrospectively so lots of people are going to be faced with enourmous bills they can't possibly pay.
Thirdly, like you say the year on year increase is absurd. It starts out bad and gets much worse.
Shame as a non US citizen there isn't much I can do. |
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geohazard
Cadet 2
Joined: Nov 10, 2005
Member#: 12374
Posts: 7
Location: USA
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Posted:
Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:15 am Post subject: Another Internet Radio Petition |
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I encountered another petition to save internet radio at Save the Streams.org:
http://www.savethestreams.org/
Very user-friendly.
Also available there are links to write your congressmen/women.
_________________
"And some rin uphill and downdale,knapping the chunky stanes to pieces wi' hammers, like sae many road-makers run daft. They say it is to see how the warld was made!"
------- Sir Walter Scott, "St. Ronan's Well" |
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 jbarta
Vice Admiral (Moderator)
Joined: Jul 07, 2005
Member#: 10794
Posts: 286
Location: Silicorn Valley
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Posted:
Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:42 am Post subject: |
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Article I found today
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"NEW YORK (AP) -- A wide array of broadcasters and online companies on Monday challenged a ruling from a panel of copyright judges that they say could cripple the emerging business of offering music broadcasts over the Internet.
Clear Channel Communications Inc., National Public Radio, and groups representing both large and small companies providing music broadcasts online were among those asking the Copyright Royalty Board to reconsider key parts of its March 2 ruling." |
Looks like the wheels are turning on the opposition to this flawed ruling. Clear Channel is "rather large" and hopefully their resources, combined with others will help to convince lawmakers and others of the problems this will create.
The Music companies have lobbyists in DC, is there a Webcaster Lobby group to present our interests to capitol hill?
J.
_________________
Who is this Murphy, and why do all his laws run my life? |
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Asriana
Commander
Joined: Aug 10, 2005
Member#: 11184
Posts: 945
Location: Michigan, USA
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Posted:
Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:37 am Post subject: |
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http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070319/internet_radio.html?.v=1
I really hope that Clear Channel can pull some major strings. I signed the online petition.. i hope it helps!
_________________
"Diaper backward spells repaid. Think about it." ~ Marshall McLuhan |
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Andres
Ensign
Joined: Jan 24, 2003
Member#: 331
Posts: 38
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zirael
Commander
Joined: Feb 05, 2004
Member#: 4924
Posts: 795
Location: North Carolina
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Posted:
Tue Mar 27, 2007 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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I hope that folks realize that SST won't be able to operate under these new royalty rates, with a very conservative estimate of annual costs at $22,426!
$.0008 x 200 average # of listeners x 16 songs/hr. x 24 hrs. x 365 days
(Perhaps one of the admins can estimate the costs more accurately)
If you're in the U.S., please sign a petition or email/mail a letter to your elected representatives because you probably won't be able to enjoy this station or other Live365 stations in the future unless the royalty rates are renegotiated.
I'm sending my letters out too. |
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