Monday, March 26, 2007

Copyright board may cripple Internet radio

TechNews World reports:
"Several radio broadcasters and online media companies are challenging a ruling this week that sets a higher royalty fee structure for music played over the Internet.

After nearly two years of hearing arguments from some of the country's biggest radio companies, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB), a body created by Congress to settle royalty disputes in the music industry, has decided on a higher fee structure for Web-based music broadcasts.

The ruling, which went into effect on March 5, has increased the amount of royalties that online music broadcasters must pay record labels and performers, a possibly crippling blow to many Webcasters and Internet radio stations."

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

House seeks jail time for file-swappers

InfoWorld reports:

"The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that could allow criminal charges to be brought against individuals who participate in file-swapping Web sites or networks.

On a voice vote, the measure passed the House and will now be sent to the U.S. Senate. The bill expands the definition of file traders eligible for criminal penalties from individuals who 'willingly' distribute copyright files to those who "knowingly" do so, an escalation that could result in jail time for file swappers, according to Adam Eisgrau, executive director of the P2P United lobbying group, which represents peer-to-peer companies and organizations."

Full story here.