US Internet Radio Screwed

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»US Internet Radio Screwed

Everyone that listens to internet radio streams may not enjoy their indie flicks soon. <a href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070416-internet-radio-dealt-severe-blow-as-copyright-board-rejects-appeal.html">The RIAA has won a direct assault on internet radio about licensing ANY copyrighted songs</a>. ANY, even if the copyright isn't by the RIAA. Broadcasters will be forced to pay per song play per listener. Not only that, but the fees increase each year. Can someone say illegal and unconstitutional? Copyrights are a huge problem for society. They are stopping the free exchange of ideas and culture. We need to throw out the RIAA and MPAA. Make sure you write to your congressmoron and let them know that the Copyright Royalty Board's March decision on internet radio licensing is harmful.

Quote

National Public Radio spearheaded the appeal, arguing that the CRB's decision was an "abuse of discretion" and saying that the judges did not consider the ramifications of a new royalty structure. Under the new royalty schedule, NPR will see its costs skyrocket. The judges were unmoved by the webcasters' arguments. "None of the moving parties have made a sufficient showing of new evidence or clear error or manifest injustice that would warrant rehearing," wrote the CRB in its decision. "To the contrary... most of the parties' arguments in support of a rehearing or reconsideration merely restate arguments that were made or evidence that was presented during the proceeding."

Please add your comments below.

That sucks!!! I love listening to my indie songs online... the industry is getting out of control. First they took away napster and now this!!!!

Copyrights aren't a problem as such, though modern copyright law might be too strict in some ways.

Who says this applies to non-RIAA broadcast ? If it did, that is undoubtedly illegal.

In a way I understand that someone doens't want to "give away" their hard work so people would enjoy it and not pay for it. But I don't think there are that many people with internet only radio stations... But I would have to see the "numbers" to make a judgement.