A Plea for Internet Radio

A place that has meant a lot to me over the past few years is facing a crisis. Maybe you aren't aware, but music isn't really free - whether you listen over the radio or on the Internet. Sure, you don't have to pay, but for the stations that broadcast, they have to pay.

Up until now, there were formulas or agreements between these stations and the various groups (i.e. the RIAA) that allowed the recorded music to be broadcast. A recent decision by the U.S. Copyright Office has dramatically changed the landscape of this process for Internet Radio.

This unfair playing field seriously changes the way that music reaches the Consumer, and moves back towards an oligopoly of the large, bland providers determinig what we hear. I believe artists shouold be compensated, but I also believe that any medium that delivers their work to us should be treated similary, and that's not happening. Internet broadcasters may soon be facing extinction as their schedule of royalties could be equal to 125% of their income in some cases.

If you love music, Please Read and Sign This Petition. Take another moment and Write Your Elected Officials. Every voice counts.

Thanks.~

RG