Laws introduced to overrule Copyright Royalty Board

[eridani]

Thank you for contacting me regarding music royalty rates and how they affect Internet radio. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.

As you know, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) issued a ruling on March 9, 2007 that established a new structure of rates to be paid by commercial and noncommercial Internet radio webcasters. For commercial Internet radio webcasters, the CRB did not include any exceptions for “small” webcasters, or webcasters with small audiences. The CRB reasoned that no party had presented any evidence that could be used to create a different rate structure for “large” and “small” webcasters.

As a result, all webcasters, regardless of their listening audience, will be subject to the new rates.

This ruling will affect many people who enjoy and listen to Internet radio, and many groups are informing Congress how this decision will affect their lives. I support open access for all consumers to the Internet, as well as efforts that increase innovation and competition on the Internet.

In response, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) has introduced S. 1353, which would nullify the CRB's March 9, 2007 ruling. This legislation is currently awaiting consideration in the Judiciary Committee, which I do not sit on. In the House of Representatives, Representative Jay Inslee (D-WA) has introduced companion legislation called the Internet Radio
Equality Act (H.R. 2060).

Thank you again for contacting me. Rest assured, should S. 1353 or similar legislation on this issue come up for debate in the Senate, I will keep your views in mind.

Sincerely,


Patty Murray
United States Senator