ponto
July 15th, 2007, 09:02 PM
Although the music is still streaming and U.S. Internet radio providers are breathing a momentary sigh of relief, the future of online radio is still uncertain.
Up to last Thursday, the U.S. Congress and SoundExchange, a group responsible for collecting music broadcasting royalties, seemed unmoved by protests against royalty-rate hikes that go in effect today.
As of Monday, webcasters are still on the hook for the new royalty rates; however, SoundExchange has said that it will not act immediately on those who do not pay on time.
But if struggling U.S. Internet radio providers find things do not improve, they could always try moving to Canada, where U.S. rates don't apply.
s (http://communities.canada.com/nationalpost/blogs/posted/archive/2007/07/15/u-s-internet-radio-safe-for-now-well-not-really-but-there-s-always-canada.aspx)
Up to last Thursday, the U.S. Congress and SoundExchange, a group responsible for collecting music broadcasting royalties, seemed unmoved by protests against royalty-rate hikes that go in effect today.
As of Monday, webcasters are still on the hook for the new royalty rates; however, SoundExchange has said that it will not act immediately on those who do not pay on time.
But if struggling U.S. Internet radio providers find things do not improve, they could always try moving to Canada, where U.S. rates don't apply.
s (http://communities.canada.com/nationalpost/blogs/posted/archive/2007/07/15/u-s-internet-radio-safe-for-now-well-not-really-but-there-s-always-canada.aspx)