27 April 2007

The Internet Radio Equality Act

"Congress has gotten involved in the ongoing fight to raise royalty rates for Internet broadcasters. Congressmen Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Don Manzullo (R-IL) have introduced the Internet Radio Equality Act, in an attempt to stop the Copyright Royalty Board's decision to increase the rates. The legislation is said to 'modernize' the copyright rules, putting royalties paid by public broadcasters of 'sound recordings'" under the same system as 'musical works.'

"Organizations who have been fighting the CRB decision have reacted favorably to the bill. Andi Sporkin of NPR says, 'This bill asks Congress to reinforce its historic acknowledgement that public broadcasting has a place in the media landscape by modernizing section 118 of the Copyright Act for the 21st century....'"

-- FMQB, Radio Industry News article April 26, 2007

Please Ask Your Congressional Reps to Co-Sponsor H.R. 2060, The Internet Radio Equality Act

Call Your Congressional Representative :15 Sec PSA (mp3)

SaveNetRadio.org for more information

more articles:

- Lawmakers Propose Reversal Of Net Radio Fee Hikes
CNet, also on NYTimes.com, April 26

- Congress's Attempt to Save Internet Radio
USNewswire (Via Yahoo News), April 26

- Congress May Loosen Noose On Internet Radio
The Register, April 27

- Net Radio Update
USA Today Tech Space, April 27


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19 April 2007

Save Internet Radio



The future of Internet radio is in immediate danger. The Copyright Royalty Board in Washington, DC has more than tripled the royalty rates for webcasters and left unchanged they will kill Internet radio. These exorbitant rates go into effect on May 15, 2007 (retroactive to Jan 1, 2006!).

Without Congressional action the majority of webcasters will go bankrupt and silent on this date. We need your help. Please take a moment to send a letter to your member of Congress on the SaveNetRadio.com site to keep Internet radio from being silenced.

UPDATE: Stickman Radio put it well...

YOUR LEGAL RIGHT TO LISTEN TO INTERNET RADIO IS BEING TAKEN AWAY!

This is not a joke. Internet radio is about to be wiped out Not just this station but all of them, including large stations like Radio Paradise, SomaFM, LAUNCHCast Radio - and thousands of independent broadcasters like STICKMAN RADIO!!!!

Immediate action on your part is imperative to continue to have access to these stations. If you do not internet radio may disappear forever as soon as May 15!

CLICK HERE NOW AND TELL CONGRESS TO SAVE NET RADIO!

Finetune and SpringWidgets

Have you played with Finetune yet?








16 April 2007

Seals


The poor ice conditions in Canada this year are reported have killed more than 90% of the pups. The sealers are expected to kill most if not all of the pups who survived. Please take a minute to take action with the Humane Society of the United States. Thank you.


video: Few Seal Pups to be Found, more videos, RSS video feed

more: ProtectSeals.org

Humane Society of Canada