Online Broadcaster’s Lobbying Efforts Pay Off – Rate Hike Pushed To July 15th
The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) moved the due date for payments under the new rates from May 15th to July 15th, a significant win for the “little guy” since it opens the door for Congress to step in with legislation to combat the rate hike.
The amnesty came on the same day that many broadcasters embarked on a “Hill Walk” lobbying Congressmen to co-sponsor a bill that would eliminate the new rates. The announcement of the eight-week reprieve was revealed, as many congregated at Mexican restaurant on Capital Hill to trade notes on their visits to dozens of House and Senate offices to discuss the Internet radio royalties issue and ask for their support of the H.R. 2060, the “Internet Radio Equality Act.” According to the lobbyists, many House members gave verbal commitments yesterday to sign on as co-sponsors of H.R. 2060.
Meanwhile, the May 8th – Day Of Silence is also ramping up with several major online broadcasters committing to the Dead Air campaign to protest the rate hike that would erradicate many small stations.
The original CRB decision, dubbed “The Final Rule”, stated that payments under the new rate, including a retroactive payment for the period going back to January 2006, were due 45 days after the end of the month or May 15th.
