Posted April 03, 2007
A really unfair and heinous new ruling was recently issued by the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) that sets significantly higher new royalty rates for Internet radio for the 2006-2010 period. The ruling ignored webcasting community proposals and set out the SoundExchange proposed "per performance" rates, as well as a $500 minimum fee per channel per year.
Although there is no clear definition of what a "channel" is, the new fee structure will make it impossible for RADIO FREE CRUZE ONLINE, our 24-hour Internet Radio Station, and other stations like it, to afford to continue broadcasting. If allowed to stand, these new fees will virtually insure that the only internet stations left on the web are those that are owned by the large corporations--the same ones that currently spoon-feed you the same stuff over and over, with no regard for the thousands of great artists and bands out there that are making such great music and going virtually unheard.
Basically, all that will be left are the web streams of the stations that are already broadcasting mainstream radio.
Live 365, the hosting service for RADIO FREE CRUZE ONLINE, is taking steps to try to ensure that this ruling does not stand.
They have filed a petition for rehearing of the new rates to the CRB. They have joined also joined fellow Digital Media Association (DiMA) members and the Internet radio industry at large to combat this unfair ruling made by the CRB. And they have started a campaign to raise awareness on Capitol Hill of the grave threat that the new CRB rates have posed to Internet Radio.
If you enjoy the station, or any Internet Radio Station, for that matter, we need your help. Here's what you can do:
Make your voice heard by the lawmakers on Capitol Hill! Call, write, e-mail, and/or visit your Representatives and Senators today and request that:
- Congress void the retroactive $500 per channel minimum that threatens to drive Live365's small webcasters out of business.
- Congress reinstate the Small Webcaster Settlement Act. The CRB declared that the 2002 SWSA would not be extended despite the Small Webcaster contracts SoundExchange offered on its website and signed with Small Webcasters for 2006 and 2007.
- Stop the retroactive, ex post facto royalty payments for 2006 mandated by the CRB, until all appeals have been heard.
- Create a level playing field by bringing the Internet radio per performance rates into parity with traditional and satellite radio. Unlike internet radio, traditional radio does NOT pay royalties to record labels or artists for songs performed over the air.
Here's the best way to go about it:
- Send a stamped letter, mailed by U.S. Mail or FedEx to your congressperson (find their mailing address). This type of hand-written message with your own personal story is treated with a LOT of value when received by your congressperson. Include your personal story... your name and location, the type of music you listen to, and how this new royalty will affect you. Be as specific as you possibly can.
- Though it's not nearly as effective as a postmarked letter, you can also send an e-mail message to your Senators and Representatives. With your zipcode or address, you can use this quick, easy e-mail form to get directly to the congressperson for your location: http://www.congress.org (use the form letter found there or write your own story)
I really appreciate your help...we are staying the course for now, but unless we aquire MAJOR sponsorships or this ruling is overturned, the days are numbered for RADIO FREE CRUZE ONLINE and other independent Internet Radio Stations.
Thanks...I'll keep you posted...
==Cruze==
Vully Bully Ranch
