Musings from The Software Underground

From Ars Technica:

A panel of judges at the Copyright Royalty Board has denied a request from the NPR and a number of other webcasters to reconsider a March ruling that would force Internet radio services to pay crippling royalties. The panel's ruling reaffirmed the original CRB decision in every respect, with the exception of how the royalties will be calculated. Instead of charging a royalty for each time a song is heard by a listener online, Internet broadcasters will be able pay royalties based on average listening hours through the end of 2008."

What we're essentially now seeing is the death of Internet radio, as it existed prior to the ruling. Most internet sites, sites that really exist to promote bands, artists, etc. will certainly be knocked out by this ruling. This isn't about protecting rights, this is about concentrating the power in the hands of the few, plain and simple.

May 15th will be a sad day, a day after which most, if not all of your favorite streaming sites will no longer be able to afford to broadcast, and after which will mostly likely just shut down instead. Gone will be internet radio, but gone also (if I understand things correctly) will most likely be college radio streams. No longer will I be able to listen to the Boston area college radio I grew attached to. It will most likely no longer be an option for me here in Maine. It's yet another sad win by those who would deny you the music you really want to listen to: the RIAA and the major record labels.

You can read the full details of the new fee schedule at the Radio and Internet Newsletter.