Net Radio Legislation Crosses the Hundred Member Mark |
The Internet Radio Equality Act Today Received its 100th Cosponsor in the
U.S. House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, May 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A bill that would save
the Internet radio industry from a dramatic increase of fees webcasters pay
to play music gained the support of its 100th member of the House of
Representatives today. Introduced by Representatives Jay Inslee (D-WA) and
Donald Manzullo (R-IL), the Internet Radio Equality Act (H.R. 2060) would
vacate the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) decision that increased the
royalty rates by 300-1200 percent over the next five years.
"Members of Congress are hearing loudly and clearly the passionate
voices of webcasters, music fans and artists who have marched on Capitol
Hill with their feet, their calls and their letters. Reaching 100
cosponsors in three legislative weeks is extraordinary, and is a major
milestone for tens of thousands of webcasters, millions of Internet Radio
listeners, and thousands of artists invested in the future of Internet
radio," Jake Ward, a spokesperson for SaveNetRadio said.
SaveNetRadio is a national coalition comprised of hundreds of thousands
of webcasters, artists, listeners and labels from throughout the country
committed to preserving the future of Internet radio.
Legislation currently before Congress, H.R. 2060 and S. 1353 -- the
Internet Radio Equality Act -- would vacate the Copyright Royalty Board's
decision and set a 2006-2010 royalty rate at the same level currently paid
by satellite radio services (7.5% of revenue.) The bill would also change
the royalty rate-setting standard used in royalty arbitrations, so that the
standard applied to webcasters would align with that applied to satellite
radio.
For more information on the SaveNetRadio coalition visit
http://www.savenetradio.org
SOURCE SaveNetRadio
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CONTACT:
Jake Ward of SaveNetRadio, +1-202-448-3156
