@$$-hats
Yes, our illustrious government is at it again. Let me 'splain. No, there is too much, let me sum up.
Remember last year, all the hype about requiring royalties from internet broadcasters that was greater (about twice over) than their corresponding airwave broadcasters?* And remember the big stink that many voters made, in order to keep such fine sites such as Pandora and Ren Radio as a viable business? And remember all the action that our representatives took, in response to the will of the people? What? You don't remember that action?
That's 'cause it didn't happen.
That's right, our illustrious representatives have decided to represent corporations instead of people, surprise-surprise. Most of them, at least. Senator Brownback from Kansas has attached the bill (which never even got a hearing) as an amendment to another bill, in hopes of having it gain the force of law. It is now up to us to contact our representatives and senators to make sure they vote FOR the amendment.
(Contact info here)
It is important to stress, in your correspondence and phone calls, that this bill ensures the proper payment to the artists and creators of original work, it is not about 'stealing' someone else's product. It's about fairness. Oh, and speaking of fairness,
*Currently, internet broadcasters are instructed to pay about twice as much in royalties as their closest competitors, satellite and cable stations. In March, 2007, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB), which oversees sound recording royalties paid by Internet radio services, increased Internet radio's royalty burden between 3-12 times that already inflated rate. That increase has been in moratorium, but is about to run out, putting the increase in effect (possibly retroactively, not sure). (source: http://www.savenetradio.org, paraphrased)
Remember last year, all the hype about requiring royalties from internet broadcasters that was greater (about twice over) than their corresponding airwave broadcasters?* And remember the big stink that many voters made, in order to keep such fine sites such as Pandora and Ren Radio as a viable business? And remember all the action that our representatives took, in response to the will of the people? What? You don't remember that action?
That's 'cause it didn't happen.
That's right, our illustrious representatives have decided to represent corporations instead of people, surprise-surprise. Most of them, at least. Senator Brownback from Kansas has attached the bill (which never even got a hearing) as an amendment to another bill, in hopes of having it gain the force of law. It is now up to us to contact our representatives and senators to make sure they vote FOR the amendment.
(Contact info here)
It is important to stress, in your correspondence and phone calls, that this bill ensures the proper payment to the artists and creators of original work, it is not about 'stealing' someone else's product. It's about fairness. Oh, and speaking of fairness,
*Currently, internet broadcasters are instructed to pay about twice as much in royalties as their closest competitors, satellite and cable stations. In March, 2007, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB), which oversees sound recording royalties paid by Internet radio services, increased Internet radio's royalty burden between 3-12 times that already inflated rate. That increase has been in moratorium, but is about to run out, putting the increase in effect (possibly retroactively, not sure). (source: http://www.savenetradio.org, paraphrased)