Save Internet Radio!!! Day of Silence, 6/26/07

[Beth]

Hey Everyone,

Just logged onto my favorite internet radio site, Pandora Radio - Listen to Free Internet Radio, Find New Music, and found this :

"Hi, it's Tim from Pandora,

I'm sorry to say that today Pandora, along with most Internet radio sites, is going off the air in observance of a Day Of Silence. We are doing this to bring to your attention a disastrous turn of events that threatens the existence of Pandora and all of internet radio. We need your help.

Ignoring all rationality and responding only to the lobbying of the RIAA, an arbitration committee in Washington DC has drastically increased the licensing fees Internet radio sites must pay to stream songs. Pandora's fees will triple, and are retroactive for eighteen months! Left unchanged by Congress, every day will be like today as internet radio sites start shutting down and the music dies.

A bill called the "Internet Radio Equality Act" has already been introduced in both the Senate (S. 1353) and House of Representatives (H.R. 2060) to fix the problem and save Internet radio--and Pandora--from obliteration.

I'd like to ask you to call your Congressional representatives today and ask them to become co-sponsors of the bill. It will only take a few minutes and you can find your Congresspersons and their phone numbers by entering your zip code here.

Your opinion matters to your representatives - so please take just a minute to call.

Visit Savenetradio.org to continue following the fight to Save Internet Radio.

As always, and now more than ever, thank you for your support.


-Tim Westergren
(Pandora founder)"

Call your Congressmen today and tell them to fight to save internet radio!!!

-Beth

 

[Beth]

OK, so I tried calling Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein's offices and both of their lines were busy... good sign?

Called Mary Bono's office. Told the lady on the line about today's Day of Silence and how important it is to help fight to save internet radio before we all marinate and die in mediocre, repetitive terrestrial radio that will suffocate culture and creativity in the music world. The lady on the other line said "oh, ok, I'll tell her".

Maybe if we make it so that their WHOLE DAY is spent fielding phone calls from miffed internet radio listeners, it won't be just an "oh, ok...", it will be "ok, I'll be sure to tell her what you and the other 2000 people said".

Come on, people! Join me!!!

 

[SteveB]

I dunno, Beth. As a guy who has actually filed copyright forms for original music, I'm not against artists getting $ for their efforts. (And consumers paying the $)

I'm not sure of the royalty structure for streaming audio over the internet, but ideally it should be a rate comparable to radio, or even higher. A traditional radio station has limited broadcast range, and thus a limited audience. Not so much with the internet. Sure, not everyone has a computer (but not everyone has a radio, either) but a single broadcast over the internet could reach what.. tens of millions of computers potentially? Hundreds of millions perhaps?

I don't want to rain on your parade Beth, I'm just advocating for the artist.

 

[Beth]

I see your point, Steve, and it is a very valid one. I believe in artists being able to make money from the music they create and share, and I don't think that anyone involved in the Save Net Radio campaign is against artists receiving their due royalties.

I really don't see how artists will enjoy seeing the very internet radio stations that helped them achieve more of a widespread audience and gain more popularity go bankrupt from the rate increase. Will the artists see more money from this legislation? If it goes through, let's hope that they do see a fraction of the 300-1200% increase in royalty rates.

 

[Jodizzle]

Internet radio is the very reason I bought albums from bands that I never would have heard on mainstream radio (ie: Beight, Brad Sucks, Rodrigo y Gabriela, etc).
It's also the very reason that I don't have to listen to Honky Tonk Badonk a Donk 24/7!

It has helped expand my interest in music on every avenue ..
I view internet radio stations as I view the nice, friendly, sample-passer-outers at costco

 

[bovinehost]

I believe in artists being able to make money from the music they create and share

As do I.

The problem is the RIAA, and I'm sure that at least one of those A's stands for ASSHOLES. (Can I say that here? We'll see.) They're not out to protect the artists; their interest is in preserving an archaic system that has largely ceased to function to anyone's benefit except the recording industry itself.

Internet radio is one of the last bastions for people who don't want to be force-fed drivel and crap. (If I could get it in my car, I wouldn't need XM.) Artists benefit from internet radio, just like Jodi said. You hear a song and think, "I need to get that."

The RIAA, if you ask me, wants internet radio to disappear. They don't give a rat's ass about whether or not XYZ independent record guy lives or dies, not do they care whether you go buy an independent release from artist X.

They care about you listening to what THEY want you to listen to, buying what THEY want you to buy, and whittling your musical taste down to that horrific pap I hear over and over on the commercial stations.

They want your money, as much of it as they can get. Which is fine if they have a product I really enjoy. But they don't even want you to enjoy what you're smart enough to know you like!

Screw them.

I'm calling my congressman's office, Beth.

Jack

 

[kevin]

...

 

[DarthSarahmus]

Jack, I couldn't agree more about the RIAA. The RIAA try to set an example about file sharing and music downloading by suing children and the elderly. In my opinion internet and satellite radio are a way to save music. Most musicians will never be able to get there music heard on terrestrial radio, internet radio is their only chance. I listen to public radio exclusively now, which is also effected by these new royalty rates, because our local radio stations are horrible. I love having the ability to listen to indie space rock and flamenco music in the same block. Everyone call your congressman or else we only have ourselves to blame when all there is to listen to is Britney Spears.

 

[kevin]

We've got to keep in mind that we're all(RIAA included) learning as we go here. The internet, all though a vital part of everyday life, is only about 10-15 years old in the everyday business world. There are bound to be growing pains in all industries trying to keep up with the rapid growth and exposure that the internet provides. Our industry just happens to be one that is being heavily effected. Has the RIAA had some missguided agenda's in recent years? i think so. But all in all I think the industry(so far) is doing a pretty good job of keeping up with this technology. Think of all the great innovations that have come to musicians over the last 10 years.......it really is a great time to be a musician. For a distribution industry to survive there must be regulations and check points......now we just have to find the happy medium!! Mr Pandora is happy to put down the RIAA and everybody thats money hungry on the "other side". But I wonder if he'll be keeping all of the money he makes when he sells the website for "$20 Million"? I think independent radio has always been a great source of music....from College radio stations....to internet radio. But i do think that there is a happy medium somewhere in the middle.

 

[DarthSarahmus]

No there is a happy medium. Most internet radio stations will see their royalty rates increase ten fold.

 

[CodeMonkey]

Hey Kev check out this article on rollingstone.com: The Record Industry's Decline

It's basically Hillary Rosen (of the RIAA) and a few other big players in music saying how badly they screwed up with Napster and mishandling the then new technology of the mp3 and how it ruined the industry. It can be summed up by the simple fact that the recording industry hasn't seen financials this bad since they stopped selling sheet music, and started selling records. Pretty bleak.

You should also check this other article on rollingstone.com out, about the future of the recording industry and ideas on how they will cope with the collapse: The Fall of the Record Business: What's Next?

Interesting ideas in it, some of which seem very viable. Unfortunately the 'middle ground' you are speaking of just won't be achieved. Things are already too far gone. Not that I'm trying to be some harbinger of doom here. The industry will adapt and rise from the ashes, not unlike the mythical Phoenix.

Personally, I'm excited. The old ways are dying, and new ways are manifesting. The entire world of music is in flux, and while instability creates worry, it always inspires innovation. The avenues for a musician’s creative efforts recognized are growing by leaps and bounds every day.

The only downside I see, are the thousands of people who are already, or will be out of a job. Warner is planning to lay off another 400.

 

[kevin]

No there is a happy medium. Most internet radio stations will see their royalty rates increase ten fold.

says who? the internet radio stations? I don't think members of the RIAA wake up each morning and think to themselves....."How can a screw the masses out of listening to good music" . I'm no expert on the subject and without doing the proper research my words don't mean much......but.....I do think that internet radio stations should be held to a standard....equal to or along the same lines as air wave radio stations.

 

[CodeMonkey]

says who? the internet radio stations?

Says NPR for one.

I don't think anyone in the industry is 'trying to screw people over' but more or less trying to combat the massive hemmoraging of money they are experiencing. It's no secret that piracy, internet radio and things like iTunes have taken away much of the allure of the industries main source of income, the CD. Even if I don't support the rate hike, I can see where they are coming from. No one likes seeing people laid off. Things are pretty bad and this is just one way the industry is trying to cope.

 

[Beth]

I'm sure the guys from the RIAA (I think I read that there's only 3 of them, yes, 3 individuals make up the RIAA) don't wake up and think "how are we going to screw the masses out of new music?", but I'm sure they're thinking "how are we going to make up for lost revenue?" Otherwise, I wouldn't think that they would write the new legislation to be retroactive back to January of 2006.

Everyone in the industry needs to make a little money for what they do. I'd be more than willing to pay for the service Pandora has provided to me, the system they have is pretty darn cool. I'd be really sad to see it go.

 

[DarthSarahmus]

Small non profit stations, and i think there was some confusion. The RIAA aren't the ones imposing the new royalty rates, they are just equally bad to some people. The CRB or Copyright Royalty Board has mandated the new rates, which will be paid to Sound Exchange. Now something that not everyone knows is Sound Exchange collects royalty for your music whether you are registered with them or not. So in essence they(Sound Exchange) can be collecting and keeping royalties that the artist never sees. Listen, I might come off harsh but I think Sound Exchange and the RIAA could do some great things for music, but now it seems like a race for the bank. In this day and age it is harder and harder for musicians to make money. I just don't see making rates such that a small internet radio station can't stay going, and then there is less exposure and loss of revenue for the artist.

 

[Beth]

I was wrong about the RIAA, it's actually the CRB is a panel of 3 judges appointed by the Librarian of Congress...




We're letting a Librarian decide what music we listen to???

 

[DarthSarahmus]

I should have added a disclaimer when joining this discussion. I am a fan of fair business practices. I heavily studied NAFTA(North American Free Trade Agreement) in college, I won't shop at Walmart, and I don't eat domestic chocolate. All out of principle.

 

[kevin]

i think this is where people get confused....there is nothing wrong with the recording industry....its thriving....more people are listening to different types and genre's of music than ever before. 100 millions Ipods have sold since 2001. Thats 100 million people willing to invest $200+ into their music catalog. IPOD's store 5k+ songs...so people will of course be looking to fill that storage space up. Its just that they wont be doing it the conventional(or what was the conventional) way VIA: CD's, cassettes and records. Its digitalized....the blame does lie within the record labels and their not acting or adapting fast enough...that article really hit that on the head! But now its time to make up ground...i don't think the industry is in trouble at all it just has hit a bump in the road as far as distribution goes. Article #1 was great...Ill read the others tonight.

good stuff

 

[DarthSarahmus]

I think music is a great place. Well, except for that one week when the number one album was Now That's What I Call Music Volume #Bagillion. With all the outlets we have to hear music there is more variety ready at our fingertips. I personally would hate to see all that threatened because thought they could get money.

 

[kevin]

In this day and age it is harder and harder for musicians to make money. I just don't see making rates such that a small internet radio station can't stay going, and then there is less exposure and loss of revenue for the artist.

thats the problem...is there not small internet radio stations. There pulling in millions of listeners per day and its definitely something that has to be regulated. Do I think rates should be so high that the small guys get pushed out of business.....no way....but I also dont think its right for the big boys to rake in tons in advertising $$ and not be held to the same standards as traditional stations. We've got to take the good with the bad and there was bound to be "growing pains" along the way with such a rapid developing technology in an already established industry. 20 years ago you couldn't cut an album in your home studio(put together for 5K or less) that sounded half way decent? 20 years ago you couldn't blast networking websites with your bands music for thousands to listen to......20 years ago you didn't have events like the Vans Warped Tour , Taste of Chaos and EB/MM Battle of the Bands(plug) giving local musicians the opportunity to play alongside their heroes and gain priceless exposure. I do think that there is $$ to be made out there for a musician. Now whether the intergrity to ones own music and style keeps them from making $$ then thats another story. But there is definitely $$ out there and more opportunity for the musician now..than 20 years ago. I love internet radio(and tv...watch about 85 giants games a year via mlb.tv.com) but i do think there needs to be fair regulations put in place for all parties involved.