Panel Agrees to Raise Royalty Rates for Webcasters

Just what will the fate of Internet Radio be? The online version of The Los Angeles Times writes, "In a ruling made public Tuesday, the Copyright Royalty Board significantly increased the royalties paid to musicians and record labels for streaming digital songs online. The decision also ended a discounted fee for small Internet broadcasters."

The story by Jim Puzzanghera and Josh Friedman points out the current rate of .08 cent for each song's play would more than double in just two years. This might make it impossible for many public radio station and non-profit or hobbyist Internet stations to continue streaming, at least free of charge to listeners.

Background:
* New Royalty Rates Set to Silence Many Internet Radio Stations
* The Music You Enjoy On Your Favorite Radio Station Is Not Free
* Webcasters Making Progress Over Royalty Issue