Regulating Internet Radio

The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) has recently released a revised fee schedule for internet radio. Many believe that this will end internet radio. The RIAA has convinced this federal committee to establish rates that make online radio a non-viable business. As the music industry transitions to the internet it appears that money still talks.

The birth of the internet has hurt the music industry but a the same time helping it. It helps by giving artists that you probably wouldn’t hear an outlet to get exposure. It hurts it, obviously, because people have chosen to download instead of purchasing the CD. Recently, I had a friend that got in legal trouble for downloading a movie on the internet. He’s been downloading since
the internet started. 7 years into the new millennium, those with money that have been losing business because of the internet are now investing their dollars into regulating the web. I totally agree with artists getting their due but this new royalty rate is ridiculous.

The only internet radio shows that can handle it are those backed by successful corporations. There is some potential good in this though. It limits the amount of music that floods the market a bit. The trend has been anyone that has a computer can put out music. But in the end, like most areas of entertainment, the almighty dollar will prevail. The idealist in me hopes it isn’t so but only time will tell.

Written by Thoth