Ken Fisher reports on a discussion in the relevant House of Representatives committee about the CRB decision on Internet radio royalties. He writes:
Net radio's woes made their way to the House of Representatives Committee on Small Business today, where the looming crisis that could kill diversity in Internet radio was met with a lack of ideas how to stop it. (Background on the rate hike.) ΒΆ There were clear signs of frustrations among legislators, however, and those frustrations stem from the fact that in the eyes of many, this issue should have long been settled. ...
Link: Ars Technica.
Also see Jacqui Cheng's Internet radio "Day of Silence" hushes thousands of stations. Link: Ars Technica. And, 'Day of silence' for US web radio. Link: BBC.
Update 30 June 2007:
Olga Sharif reports, Webcasters' Plea Falls on Deaf Ears. Link: BusinessWeek.
... No can do, said House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez. The New York Democrat said she'd prefer Webcasters and the music industry come up with their own compromise. "I really don't think Congress would be the best type of vehicle to resolve this type of issue," she said after the testimony of seven witnesses, including independent record-label owners, musicians, and Webcasters. "July 15 is just around the corner, and I hope the two parties can come together and resolve this issue." ...
No indication on how this was counted, but Meg Tirrell at Medill Reports says that Congress got 350,000 calls. --Dennis
Comments