Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Technology is great - especially for the music industry. The Internet has brought a new hope to up and coming musicians - particularly webcasts and internet radio. Starting May 15, US webcasters will face sharp rises in royalty fees that could render a "fatal" blow to the industry. The increases will eventually charge royalties every time an online listener hears a song.
"If these rates stand... I believe we'll see a virtual shutdown all of US webcasting," wrote Kurt Hanson, CEO of AccuRadio. "That will be bad for listeners, webcasters, musicians, and the record industry alike." It would appear that this particular hike in rates will be a great burden on the shoulders of the already low revenue generating radio stations. Those on the other side of the argument claim that it will allow musicians to earn more money for getting air time.
From what I've read, this doesn't exactly look like the best thing for artists themselves - especially if stations can't stay alive.
You can read more here.
A campaign called SaveNetRadio.org has now been set up to pressure Congress to resolve the problem and "create an environment where Internet radio, and the millions of artists it features, can continue to grow for generations to come."
Labels: music, technology
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