As a podcaster and long time Internet radio listener, we are all about to get royally screwed by the RIAA with the establishment of new royalty rates that will drive independent net broadcasters out of business, even though many do it only for the love of the music. Don’t think for a minute that the RIAA is going to settle for Net radio – podcasters are sure to be next. Big corporations want the cash and they don’t want the competition from creatives they can’t control. Services like Accuradio, Live365, and others that allow independent broadcasters are going to go by the wayside and we will be back to a Clear Channel-esque net with no variety, no choice, just Mc-Music.
Harsh words for a harsh reality. If you support an open internet for music, discussion, and broadcasting, write your congressman, sign a petition, and do what you can to overturn the decision made on March 6, 2007.
Go to SaveNetRadio.org, SaveTheStreams.org, Save Our Internet Radio, and make some noise.
