Hi all,

There is a storm brewing for internet radio users, at least here in the U.S.  Apparently, royalty rates are going to go sky-high, and most net-radio providers will have to go out of business if something doesn't change.  http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2007/07/webcasters_face_music

Apparently the oh-so-intelligent people in the bureaucracy think that people who listen to net radio are 'stealing' music, and don't understand that copies of music made from net radio are not full quality and don't sound NEARLY as good as music from CDs.

Anyway, before I opine too much...  does anyone know if this will also affect net-radio providers globally?  This would be a blow...

Thanks!

Aj 

This certainly would be a blow, Aj
I don't know what I'd do without my NRADIO
Any time I'm on the computer I am listening to Son Galicia Radio on my Beoport.

Andy T.

It is only fair to reward the artists in some way for the music played on net radio but this may have the opposite effect. I often listen to Dronezone, which I appreciate isn't to everyone's taste, but at the last count I had bought 66 CDs directly as a result of hearing them on Somafm.com. If the stations go under because of excessive royalties, nobody wins. 

There was an interesting article in last Thursdays Guardian Tech section in G2 outlining the serious threat to internet radio. Its a shame as the quality could surpass the current DAB which will be replaced by DAB+ in the next 18 months or so making all present DAB receivers obsolete.

 

 

Dave 

Again this is another example of a government not understanding the internet.  Most of the internet radio stations I listen to are outside of the US and are usually sponsored by another government such as BBC, RFI, or Radio Sweden.  I believe that artists deserve an equitable payment.  However any strident restrictions will only result in other types of internet radio that cannot be regulated such as peer to peer radio.

Also if ip addresses are blocked in the US, very clever people will find a way to deal with it.  For example one could sign into a media server in another country to get internet radio.  Sounds like a new business opportunity? 

I really hope Soma FM doesn't go down, I live off their stations, particularly DroneZone and BeatBlender.

As for artists getting more for their music, this has the complete opposite effect. Even with these regulations and fees in place, artists will still get a tiny amount of money directly from having their music played on the radio. What they DO benefit from is the exposure, getting their music played to different people who may or may not seek to buy their music. Like Stax, a large proportion of my vinyl and CD is bought because I've heard it on internet radio.

Remember, these measures are being sponsored by the big labels, not by artists!  Big labels no longer care about artists, and they surely don't care about listeners.  They are into power and money!  And like any dictator, they have become paranoid of losing their grip.  Closing down indie radio stations would give them even greater control of what the public can listen to. 

I seldom listen to mainstream broadcast radio because the stations seldom play music I like.  Many of my net-radio stations are hosted in other countries, which is why I was wondering if non-American stations would be affected if this thing actually goes through.

Americans who are concerned about this should join the effort and call their Congressperson.  www.savenetradio.org 

I agree that it is about the big labels getting greedier and not necessarily the artist.  On the surface, this looks like it is a US issue but remember most of the big labels are based in Europe.  If these fees are successful in the US, surely the big labels will try the same thing in the EU and beyond.

Thank-you for raising this issue joynsyde.  This is not widely known outside of the US.

 Regards,