Internet Radio: Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, as head of the U.S. Copyright Office, rejected the rate schedule on webcasting proposed by a government panel. The recording industry has been seeking to charge Internet broadcasters. The panel had proposed up to $1.40 for each song for every 1000 listeners, a rate that webcasters said would force them to close. But it's not over yet. Billington will be laying out new royalty fees in a decision on June 20. Roy Pegoraro examines the issues, stating that "Web broadcasts remain stuck in a peculiar legal box, subject to fees that no FM station pays. Billington now has 30 days to decide what those fees should be. " Performers should receive royalties but the fees should not be so high as to shut down the services that give them an audience. And the rules should apply to all broadcasters. Pegoraro isn't hopeful that the government will be able to clear up the mess it created.
Royalty Rates for Internet Radio Rejected: Webcasters Feared Approval of Proposed Fees Would Force Them to Shut Down . David Ho (May 22, 2002) AP in Washington Post
Fast Forward: They're Not Treating Webcasters Like Royalty by Roy Pegoraro (May 26, 2002) Washington Post
Posted by Gwen at June 3, 2002 10:46 AM