Washington - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) on Thursday introduced a bill that would vacate the recent Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) decision that would greatly increase royalties webcasters must pay to stream music online.

The Internet Radio Equality Act of 2007 is a companion to the bill introduced in the House last month by Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Don Manzullo (R-Ill.).

In their statement, the Senators said the CRB decision would mean large webcasters could end up paying between 40% and 70% of their total revenues in fees, while small webcasters might pay up to 1,200% of their revenues.

In addition to undoing the $500 per channel minimum royalty fee for commercial webcasters set by the CRB, the bill would create special royalty rules for the webcasting arms of non-commercial broadcasters like National Public Radio and college radio.

"Keeping Internet radio alive is part of a broader issue that is important to me -- keeping the e-commerce engine running by preventing discrimination against it," Wyden said.

"Congress has two months to prevent the devastation of Internet radio," said Jonathan Potter, executive director of the Digital Media Association, which represents large webcasters.

"This bill is about leveling the playing field to allow a growing, innovative industry to survive."

Related Links:
http://wyden.senate.gov/media/2007/Print/print_05102007_Internet_Radio.htm

http://tinyurl.com/2bfw9n (DMW previous coverage)