AM to operate after July 14?

[elliot]

Nearly all Internet Radio stations are goin to shut down on July 15, or else risk having to pay a year-and-a-half of unreasonable back royalties (almost all of which will go to bands that prog stations don't even play!). Is AM planing to defy the RIAA and stay running? Or will it also be shutting down?

Just wondering.

--Elliot

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally Posted by elliot

Nearly all Internet Radio stations are goin to shut down on July 15, or else risk having to pay a year-and-a-half of unreasonable back royalties (almost all of which will go to bands that prog stations don't even play!). Is AM planing to defy the RIAA and stay running? Or will it also be shutting down?

Just wondering.

--Elliot

I don't know. This will be a decision we must await from Jim.

Aural Moon has been a big part of my life for the past several years. It's introduced me to new music and to new friends. The loss of Aural Moon will be devastating to me and to a great many of you. I keep hoping that there will be some 11th hour stay of execution ordered for all webcasters but, as you know, I have very very very little faith in my government to do anything right. They haven't done anything right yet during my brief visit here on this rotating conglomeration of stellar rubbish, so why should I expect they'd start now?

Anyway, here is the latest from SaveNetRadio.org:

http://www.savenetradio.org/press_ro...711-inslee.pdf

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by VAXman

I don't know. This will be a decision we must await from Jim.

Anyway, here is the latest from SaveNetRadio.org:

http://www.savenetradio.org/press_ro...711-inslee.pdf

Thanks for the link....too bad Congressman Inslee can't do some other "acts" as he's going to the floor for the legislation. That seems to be the only "action" some of these money-grabbers understand.

I've been in touch with three of the bands that I will feature on the show... honest, hardworking musicians that deserve better than this. I echo vax's sentiments about the Moon being a big part of my life, but I worry about the musicians even more. It would be ironic if the station shut down the day I will feature these fine artists.

I haven't heard word one from Jim,, but from what I've been able to gather, he will make his usual rational and well-thought out decision. I can't see us just cutting everything off, but all I offer is speculation. I await also..now to post the show thread

[MrMagoo]

Inslee is my US Rep, and this is one of the extremely rare times I'm proud to say my congress critter supports & promotes my beliefs (DeFazio in OR was pretty OK too).

I can not stress this strongly enough: GO TO SaveNetRadio AND FIND OUT HOW TO FAX OR CALL YOUR US REPRESENTATIVE ASAMFP!!!. Then get in touch with your Senator as well.

Even if you have previously contacted them, do so again to reinforce your sentiments, especially if previously it was by online form or email. Calls/faxes carry much more immediacy of the issue.

Then find out how to support SaveNetRadio or any one of the other equivalent organizations. Even if you haven't been able to handle the $50 AM patron donation, can you not afford $10/$25/etc to ever be able to listen to non-mainstream Internet radio again?

It's so odd isn't it? Because of something happening in the USA, loads of people around the world will, probably, lose something very dear to their lives. Yet there is very little they can do about it.

Don't these Jerk-offs realise that their misguided, money grabbing plan will affect loads of people outside the US? Maybe they do but I don't think they give a toss.

Let me stress here and now that if Aural Moon stops streaming on July 15th it will not just die!!!!!!!!

The site will remain as a forum for us to continue to meet and share our thoughts, hopes, fears and aspirations.

The Family that is Aural Moon will continue regardless of what these foolhardy bureaucrats do.

Let's wait to see what Jim wants to do. We're with you all the way.

OK??????

[RogorMortis]

I've actually cut down my listening to AM lately as to not suffer the immediate shock of no prog. Instead I listen to the refrigerator, as some would say "I couldn't hear the difference anyway" , but seriously it will be a loss as I won't listen to any other station except PhoenixFM that has a 2 hour prog show every Sat.

All I would say to Jim is don't take any risk that would mean being dragged in to the system that Vax knows all too well anp pay $$$$ for nothing. And let us hope a compromise falls into place. Otherwise KW has said all the right things.

[PeterG]

So, if a shutdown is really looming... shouldn't we be considering relocating the stream out of the reach of the RIAA?

There must be streaming services in other countries who would be able to host our station.

Hopefully, Jim has figured out a legal loophole that will not cause AM to shut down... but if there is not one... what are the costs involved in moving out of their reach?...

[sharcnorris]

Ulp!! ...I guess we are all watching the Station News Box For an Announcement, ................

[kirk]

Originally Posted by PeterG

So, if a shutdown is really looming... shouldn't we be considering relocating the stream out of the reach of the RIAA?

There must be streaming services in other countries who would be able to host our station.

Hopefully, Jim has figured out a legal loophole that will not cause AM to shut down... but if there is not one... what are the costs involved in moving out of their reach?...

http://www.offshore-web-hosts.com/?g...FQqgYgodBycIkg.

Of course it's possible. I proposed this months ago
to the sound of a resounding thud.
It's how gambling and porn sites operate.

If we need to go "subscription only" to help compensate,
I'm sure most here would be glad to pitch in.



If this doesn't fly, i'd be happy to help scout and recommend
indies from around the net, contact them for CD submission.
There's more out there than you may think.

C'mon guys, let's adapt!
If nothing else, it's a big "Fcuk You!" to the RIAA.

P e a c e

Kirk

[mossy]

Of course we'll adapt!

Just waiting to see what Jim wants, and then we can start planning if we need to. I've already offered my support in any way needed.

I like where you're coming from kirk.

[MrMagoo]

Last minute court stay has been rejected: http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9743304-7.html

[kirk]

Originally Posted by MrMagoo

Last minute court stay has been rejected: http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9743304-7.html

Hey neighbor-

It feels a little like farting in a tornado, but
Here's our Senator contact info-

Senator Patty Murray: (202) 224-2621
Senator Maria Cantwell: (202) 224-3441

Next time you're down Gig Harbor/Fox island way,
give a yell!

kirk

Originally Posted by mossy

Of course we'll adapt!

Just waiting to see what Jim wants, and then we can start planning if we need to. I've already offered my support in any way needed.

I like where you're coming from kirk.

Abso-bloody-lutely mossy.

If we need to go subscription my CD purchasing will be more than willing to take a hit!!!!!!!!!

AM means a lot to me (you don't say Keithie!!!) and I know it means a lot to a lot of others out there too. So if I can help I will........this is where PayPal comes into it's own!!!

Let's wait for Officer Jim to say his piece and support him to the hilt.

[eloy1964]

I agree with everyone, if it means not purchasing a few luxuries to keep the moon functional then so be it. I have found the moon a great place to escape the rigors of life and enjoy every moment I am online. the company is not so bad either. Hope we can continue.

[RogorMortis]

Just picked this up on PE:


At thursdays's Congressional hearing about the new rates for online radio that would essentially destroy it (as readers of this blog already know), SoundExchange, which was scheduled to receive the new royalty payments on Monday morning (since the enforcement date falls on a Sunday), made a startling statement.

The SoundExchange executive [Jon Simson, executive director] promised -- in front of Congress -- that SoundExchange will NOT enforce the new royalty rates. Webcasters will stay online, as new rates are hammered out.

I just spoke with Pandora founder Tim Westergren, who expressed relief that Pandora wouldn't have to shut down on Sunday in response to the new rates. He said, "It was getting pretty close. I always had underlying optimism that sanity was going to prevail, but I was beginning to wonder."

He said everyone who called their Congress person about this should feel that they had an effect on the process: "This is a direct result of lobbying pressure, so if anyone thinks their call didn't matter, it did. That's why this is happening." The flyer DiMA distributed to Congress today probably helped a bit too, but overall, it appears Congress intervened due to pressure from web radio listeners.

Funnily enough, Westergren told me this mere hours after a representative of SoundExchange said that the new rates are "etched in stone." Evidently not.

-----

Update: Another source -- close to the situation although not inside today's closed-door hearing -- confirmed the following: Pandora was there; "progress was made"; the minimum fees are indeed off the table; and SoundExchange and the webcasters that were part of the Copyright Royalty Board hearings are going to have another chat about the rates.

However, the source said the big question right now is whether webcasters not part of the CRB hearing might still have to pay the rates set by the board, minus the minimum fees. Basically, this news qualifies as a reprieve, but internet radio won't be truly saved until negotiations result in a workable royalty rate.

------
Another Update: This story has been confirmed by Kurt Hanson of RAIN.

Westergren had more to say, lending insight into a process that was largely opaque to non-participants. Apparently, the per-channel minimum fees mandated by the Copyright Royalty Board were never taken very seriously by those involved. They've now been taken off the table completely, saving Pandora, Live365, and other multicasters from their most imminent threat. Instead, per-station minimums will be capped at $50,000 per year.

"No one thought those per station fees were remotely rational. It only makes sense that they're being taken off the table."

As for the Copyright Royalty Board? They're entirely cut out of the process, having set the rates and then refused a rehearing. Going forward without the royalties being collected, SoundExchange and webcasters will negotiate a new royalty rate with Congress looking over their shoulder -- "and last but not least, the public looking over Congress's shoulder." Alternatively, Congress now has time to consider the Internet Radio Equality Act, which would set webcaster royalties at 7.5 percent of revenue and allow them to continue operating pretty much as they have been.

Either way, this is a big win for webcasters and their listeners. Again, this is a reprieve, and internet radio can't be considered saved until new rates are set that everyone can live with.

[sharcnorris]

Thank You Rogor, this has to be good News and a New direction for the winds of change............

[eloy1964]

Hopefully, this could be the begining of a new age for AM. I look forward to a celebration party on the moon.

[julieval]

Happy Happy, Joy, Joy!

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally Posted by julieval

Happy Happy, Joy, Joy!

Today's a day to celebrate, the foe have met their fate.
The order for rejoicing and dancing has come from our warlord.


Not quite yet, I'm afraid; this is only a small battle retreat. We need to keep pressure on our legislators (you know 'em, the pigs in the public trough of taxation in Washington DC) to pass the IREA. This is radio, despite the transmission medium being the internet, and we should not be treated differently than the rest of the radio providers.

[julieval]

Agreed VAX. That is why I am doing the Happy Happy Joy Joy dance and not the Snoopy dance!