 The new rates would force webcasters to pay exorbitant royalty fees based on the question of fair compensation to artists whose work is played over Internet radio. An editorial by Rain Publisher Kurt Hanson investigates the history of the relationship between radio and artists, a relationship that he argues has been wildly beneficial to all parties, and has helped make the U.S. record and radio industries the strongest in the world, due in large part to the promotional power of radio that exposes musicians’ work to huge audiences and drives the sales revenues of recording companies.
Kurt argues that to destroy this mutually beneficial relationship by punishing radio with exceedingly high royalties is anything but “fair.”
Webcasters and musicians can come to Washington, DC, on April 30th through May 1st to participate in a “Hill walk”. Individuals will be part of one of several small teams that will visit six or seven Congressional offices that day and tell their story. If you’d like to volunteer your possible availability, contact kurt@kurthanson.com
Then, SaveNetRadio.org will select a group of invitees based on a variety of criteria including geographic coverage of a variety of Congressional districts.
There are also plans in the works for a “Day of Silence” on May 8, where webcasters will stop webcasting for a day to protest the CRB rates. The Webcasters hope this “Day of Silence†will get the attention of key members of Congress.
Commitments from major webcasters have already been received. The coalition is also reaching out to large broadcasters like: Clear Channel, CBS, Entercom, Bonneville, Cox, etc. If you are a listener or own a webcast site, you can write your Congressman by clicking Here.
