It appears Internet Radio sites such as Pandora, are in jeopardy due to the RIAA. On Thursday, the US Senate Judiciary Committee is convening to consider an Internet Radio Equality amendment. As I have an account with Pandora (which if I’m not mistaken, I heard about here), I received an email from Tim Westergren (Pandora founder) urging support for this amendment.
I think it would be a shame to lose this resource for all types of music, not the least of which, the traditional genres.
“Tim from Pandora,
I'm writing today to urgently ask for your help. Our future and that of all webcasters is being threatened by the actions of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). In an effort to cripple Internet radio they have defied Congressional direction to negotiate reasonable performance fees and are trying to shut us down.
In spite of overwhelming opposition, including from thousands of musicians, they have blatantly pursued a strategy of undermining the process, making outrageous demands, and trying to run out the clock, hoping we will just quietly fade away. There is only one way to stop this violation of the public trust, and that is by mobilizing the collective will of our listening audience.
I am writing to you because your Senator is on the crucially important Senate Judiciary committee. It would be tremendously helpful if you would take just a minute to call your Senator:
Senator Herb Kohl: (202) 224-5653
** When you call, please tell them your home town, and ask them to support the Brownback Internet Radio Equality amendment that will be considered in the Judiciary Committee this Thursday.
This amendment sets webcasting royalties at the same level as those paid by satellite radio, which would compensate musicians fairly and allow web radio to survive. For more info on the bill, please visit: http://www.savenetradio.org/
I hope you'll take just a few minutes to call. It's easy to do and it will truly, truly make a difference. As a young industry, we do not have the lobbying power of the RIAA. You, our listeners, are by far our biggest and most influential allies.
Thank you very much for your support,
-Tim Westergren(Pandora founder)"
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It appears Internet Radio sites such as Pandora, are in jeopardy due to the RIAA. On Thursday, the US Senate Judiciary Committee is convening to consider an Internet Radio Equality amendment. As I have an account with Pandora (which if I’m not mistaken, I heard about here), I received an email from Tim Westergren (Pandora founder) urging support for this amendment.
I think it would be a shame to lose this resource for all types of music, not the least of which, the traditional genres.
For those interested, read about it here: http://www.savenetradio.org/.
This is the letter from Pandora:
“Tim from Pandora,
I'm writing today to urgently ask for your help. Our future and that of all webcasters is being threatened by the actions of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). In an effort to cripple Internet radio they have defied Congressional direction to negotiate reasonable performance fees and are trying to shut us down.
In spite of overwhelming opposition, including from thousands of musicians, they have blatantly pursued a strategy of undermining the process, making outrageous demands, and trying to run out the clock, hoping we will just quietly fade away. There is only one way to stop this violation of the public trust, and that is by mobilizing the collective will of our listening audience.
I am writing to you because your Senator is on the crucially important Senate Judiciary committee. It would be tremendously helpful if you would take just a minute to call your Senator:
Senator Herb Kohl: (202) 224-5653
** When you call, please tell them your home town, and ask them to support the Brownback Internet Radio Equality amendment that will be considered in the Judiciary Committee this Thursday.
This amendment sets webcasting royalties at the same level as those paid by satellite radio, which would compensate musicians fairly and allow web radio to survive. For more info on the bill, please visit: http://www.savenetradio.org/
I hope you'll take just a few minutes to call. It's easy to do and it will truly, truly make a difference. As a young industry, we do not have the lobbying power of the RIAA. You, our listeners, are by far our biggest and most influential allies.
Thank you very much for your support,
-Tim Westergren(Pandora founder)"
# Posted on May 13th 2008 by Agnes Nutter