djLefty
05-04-2007, 12:25 AM
http://somafm.com/crb/
URGENT CALL TO ACTION
Once again, internet radio is being unfairly targeted with extremely high music royalty fees: fees that are so high, if not changed will put most internet broadcasters, including SomaFM out of business.
Latest News: (updated 3-May-07 9:53am pacific)
Deadline reprieve: the Copyright Office has announced that royalty payments are now due by July 15, 2007 (instead of May 15th as previously announced). This slight reprieve gives us more time to get legislation passed for royalty equality - but we still have to act fast and call your representatives.
Rusty and Elise have been in Washington, DC to meet with congress and alert them to this issue. Everyone we've met with so far has told us that they're getting lots of calls and emails about the issue, so they realize it is important. But we still have a lot of work to do. Certain congressmen have stated that they don't think the bill has a chance and therefore won't support it. That's why it's important for everyone living in the US who cares about SomaFM and internet radio to call your representatives right now.
Background
A bill has been introduced that will save independent internet radio by setting these royalties at the same level paid by satellite radio services, a reasonable amount (7.5% of gross revenues) which will benefit the artists as well as not bankrupt net radio stations. Call your Representative right now and ask to cosponsor the HR 2060, "Internet Radio Equality Act", just introduced by Representative Jay Inslee. This bill will set royalty rates that internet radio pays to the same reasonable level that satellite radio pays. Please call the House switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak to your representative.ð (find your representative). You can see the status and full details of HR2060 here. We have over 25 co-sponsors of the bill now.
Help SomaFM by contacting your local congressperson by:
Writing a letter.
Making a phone call.
Sending an email.
If HR2060 the "Internet Radio Equality Act" isn't passed, SomaFM is facing a bill of $600,000 for 2006 royalties that must be paid by May 15th. These royalties have gone up from around $20,000 that SomaFM paid already in 2006.
Your support will not only save SomaFM, but other independent net radio stations. as well. Without changes to the current copyrght laws, only the largest corporations will be able to legally continue broadcasting over the internet.
We need your help in getting the US Congress to pass legislation that will remove or reduce these royalties - royalties that only internet broadcasters pay.
click http://somafm.com/crb/ for contact details
URGENT CALL TO ACTION
Once again, internet radio is being unfairly targeted with extremely high music royalty fees: fees that are so high, if not changed will put most internet broadcasters, including SomaFM out of business.
Latest News: (updated 3-May-07 9:53am pacific)
Deadline reprieve: the Copyright Office has announced that royalty payments are now due by July 15, 2007 (instead of May 15th as previously announced). This slight reprieve gives us more time to get legislation passed for royalty equality - but we still have to act fast and call your representatives.
Rusty and Elise have been in Washington, DC to meet with congress and alert them to this issue. Everyone we've met with so far has told us that they're getting lots of calls and emails about the issue, so they realize it is important. But we still have a lot of work to do. Certain congressmen have stated that they don't think the bill has a chance and therefore won't support it. That's why it's important for everyone living in the US who cares about SomaFM and internet radio to call your representatives right now.
Background
A bill has been introduced that will save independent internet radio by setting these royalties at the same level paid by satellite radio services, a reasonable amount (7.5% of gross revenues) which will benefit the artists as well as not bankrupt net radio stations. Call your Representative right now and ask to cosponsor the HR 2060, "Internet Radio Equality Act", just introduced by Representative Jay Inslee. This bill will set royalty rates that internet radio pays to the same reasonable level that satellite radio pays. Please call the House switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak to your representative.ð (find your representative). You can see the status and full details of HR2060 here. We have over 25 co-sponsors of the bill now.
Help SomaFM by contacting your local congressperson by:
Writing a letter.
Making a phone call.
Sending an email.
If HR2060 the "Internet Radio Equality Act" isn't passed, SomaFM is facing a bill of $600,000 for 2006 royalties that must be paid by May 15th. These royalties have gone up from around $20,000 that SomaFM paid already in 2006.
Your support will not only save SomaFM, but other independent net radio stations. as well. Without changes to the current copyrght laws, only the largest corporations will be able to legally continue broadcasting over the internet.
We need your help in getting the US Congress to pass legislation that will remove or reduce these royalties - royalties that only internet broadcasters pay.
click http://somafm.com/crb/ for contact details