Tell Congress - I Want my Internet Radio

There is a real possibility that in the not too distant future Maximum Broadway Radio and thousands of other internet radio stations like it will cease to exist. The major record labels (i.e. the RIAA) are taking steps in several arenas to make it impossible for internet radio to survive in its current form.

One effort is the PERFORM act currently working its way through the U.S. Senate. Most of the attention paid to this act by the media has focused on the restrictions it would place on satellite radio, but it has significant implications for internet radio as well. If this act passes as currently written, internet radio stations would no longer be able to use the mp3 format which would force them to adopt proprietary (i.e. more expensive) formats and rewrite their software to match. You can learn more about the PERFORM act in the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Action Center.

Even more dangerous than the PERFORM act is the effort by the recording industry to force internet broadcasters to pay even higher royalties. A bit of background is in order here. There are 2 types of royalties that broadcasters pay. The first set of royalties go to composers and lyricists and are paid through organizations like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. These royalties are paid by terrestrial, satellite, and internet radio at reasonable rates. The second set of royalties go to the performers of the musical work. Terrestrial radio has always been exempt from paying these royalties. Satellite and internet radio pay them but at different rates that put internet radio in the position of paying a much higher percentage of its revenues in royalties than satellite radio pays. The royalty rates are set via a process involving the Library of Congress. If the record labels get their way in this process, internet radio will only be viable for mega corporations like the ones that already dominate terrestrial radio.

What can you do? The most important thing you can do is contact your Senators and Representative in Congress and tell them that you support internet radio. Many politicians are convinced that internet radio is the same thing as illegal file sharing. They have no idea that we support artists by paying royalties and promoting work that has no other outlet. They also don't realize that we are the ones preserving America's musical heritage and giving people, especially young people, access to things like classical and folk music, jazz, and, oh yeah, musical theatre.

Politicians can only listen to the people who talk to them. Right now the major record labels are the only ones talking. It's time for you to change that. Let your representatives know that you value what internet radio offers you and that you want to see it supported and strengthened, not killed.

Thanks for listening,

Zack