Washington - National Public Radio (NPR) plans to file a "petition for reconsideration" of the new royalty rates for webcasting set forth earlier this month by the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB).

Many webcasters have decried the rates as prohibitively high for them to be able to continue operating their Web radio channels.

An analysis of the rate structure conducted by the Radio and Internet Newsletter (RAIN) estimates that the new rates will eclipse the total revenue -- including advertising -- of most smaller webcasters.

NPR noted that the new royalties are "at least 20 times more than what stations have paid in the past," and "vastly more expensive" than what NPR pays for over-the-air use of music, "although for a fraction of the over-the-air audience."

"Public radio's agreements on royalties with all such organizations, including the RIAA, have always taken into account our public service mission and non-profit status," said Andi Sporkin, vice president of communications for NPR.

"This decision penalizes public radio stations for fulfilling their mandate, it penalizes emerging and non-mainstream musical artists who have always relied on public radio for visibility and ultimately it penalizes the American public, whose local station memberships and taxes will be necessary to cover the millions of dollars that will now be required as payment."

NPR said it plans to file its petition for reconsideration with the CRB on Friday.

Related Links:
http://www.npr.org