Internet radio dealt severe blow as Copyright Board rejects appeal

[fat mike]

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...ts-appeal.html

The ruling is a huge blow to online broadcasters, and the new royalty structure could knock a large number of them off the 'Net entirely. Under the previous setup, radio stations would have to pay an annual fee plus 12 percent of their profits to the music industry's royalty collection organization, SoundExchange. It was a good setup for the webcasters, most of whom are either nonprofits or very small organizations.

National Public Radio spearheaded the appeal, arguing that the CRB's decision was an "abuse of discretion" and saying that the judges did not consider the ramifications of a new royalty structure. Under the new royalty schedule, NPR will see its costs skyrocket.

The judges were unmoved by the webcasters' arguments. "None of the moving parties have made a sufficient showing of new evidence or clear error or manifest injustice that would warrant rehearing," wrote the CRB in its decision. "To the contrary... most of the parties' arguments in support of a rehearing or reconsideration merely restate arguments that were made or evidence that was presented during the proceeding."

another victory against the little guy

[grimrebuke]

Yes, I think a bunch of us are hoping that radio stations simply stop playing the music of record labels that make their pricing structures obnoxious. I certainly am.

[Truth Teller]

I'm involved with a small,non-commercial radio station,the royalty rate is fair for the type of station we have ,but we don't webcast because we can't afford the royalty rate the internet charges.

[fat mike]

i think the big companies will end up losing these battles.i guess the musicians will be unhappy to lose their minuscule residuals but it'd be strange for this to go this way and the DRM thing to go the other way...i'm no expert though

[Corporate Avenger]

Abolish corporations and the scum that run them and their little "trade" groups..


Hang em all

[fat mike]

in sure the Amies will snap that idea right up

[86Dude]

Actually, I good mass hanging would be fun. Just elect me U.S. dictator for a year and we could purge, purge, purge.

[Monster]

Originally Posted by grimrebuke

Yes, I think a bunch of us are hoping that radio stations simply stop playing the music of record labels that make their pricing structures obnoxious. I certainly am.

I've been of the same mindset for some time now. If radio stations started playing unsigned bands and local musicians, the record labels would be ****ed.

And personally, I think the record labels deserve to get ****ed.

[fat mike]

Originally Posted by 86Dude

Actually, I good mass hanging would be fun. Just elect me U.S. dictator for a year and we could purge, purge, purge.

lol i cant see CA voting for you,86...

Originally Posted by Monster

I've been of the same mindset for some time now. If radio stations started playing unsigned bands and local musicians, the record labels would be ****ed.

And personally, I think the record labels deserve to get ****ed.

i didnt understand gr's post till you said this-i agree

[Monster]

Radio has become just a medium for the major record labels to push the latest artists that they want the public to support. It's completely corporate and has no bearing whatsoever on talent, skill, musicianship, or quality. It's simply about pushing the "hottest new single" on the market so that they can make more money off of us.

Why do you think most radio stations only play the same 30 songs over and over except for the one hour a day when they do "All Request" whatevers? It's because they're corporate-owned pansies.

[No_Brakes]

Originally Posted by Monster

I've been of the same mindset for some time now. If radio stations started playing unsigned bands and local musicians, the record labels would be ****ed.

And personally, I think the record labels deserve to get ****ed.