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Here's the skinny:
The RIAA fee schedule posted is only for retroactive payments from the past two years. Now, and during that time, we are covered under a blanket agreement through Audiorealm, because we use their SAM software, and are DMCA compliant (we follow thier broadcasting rules, and have software that help us do it).
So, we're covered. Now, the lawyers go in and negotiate all over again for the fee schedule for future broadcasts. This is what will affect us in the future. But it hasn't been decided yet.
The time is NOW to voice your disgust with this decision. Although it will affect us less than other commercial stations, (we get direct permission from many artists and labels) it will kill a lot of good internet radio stations. You should protest strongly and immediately.
Here's the text of the PSA we'll be running starting this weekend:
If you like listening to music on the internet, listen up. It’s in danger of becoming the exclusive domain of big business.
The Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel, CARP, has determined
online stations must pay twice as much as regular broadcast radio stations for the right to stream music over the Internet. The proposed royalty rates in any case is way too high. Plus, frighteningly, CARP asks the webcaster to collect data on you, the listener.
CARP stinks, like bad fish.
If you like listening to music on the internet time is running out. Find out more on this station’s website or go to congress.org and write everyone from the President to your local representative. Tell them the Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel, CARP, must not have their recommendations implemented. It’s bad for small business, it’s bad for music and it’s bad for you.
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