Bill Introduced in the House to Delay Internet Radio Royalties

September 28, 2002
Rep. James Sensenbrenner, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced a bill designed to provide a 6 month moratorium on payment of royalties by Internet radio stations to the artists and record labels as required by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the Librarian of Congress.

Because both webcasters and copyright owners are dissatisfied with the rate decision and have filed appeals in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, Sensenbrenner's bill would suspend the deadline for CARP royalty payments by six months, "providing both sides the opportunity to have their day in court," he notes.

Without the passage of his bill, he observes, the industry could become extinct before the appeals have the chance to be heard in court! Broadcasters will quit streaming, small webcasters will go bankrupt, and niche artists will lose any chance of exposure of their music to the public.

The House is scheduled to vote on the resolution on Tuesday, October 1, 2002.

It is very important that all listeners, fans, broadcasters and interested parties call their congressional representatives and urge passage of House Bill #5469. For more information, link here to SaveInternetRadio.org