After 'Day of Silence,' Was Webcasters' Message Heard?

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*Source: BetaNews (http://www.betanews.com/article/Afte...d/1182972390)*
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On the day that most American webcasters fell silent in protest of scheduled performance royalties rate increases to be imposed by the US Copyright Royalty Board, the key sponsor of House legislation to override those fees finally got one minute of floor time, to speak on behalf of his bill.

"Mr. Speaker, many of the 70 million Americans who enjoy music over the Internet woke up and their music was silent today," stated Rep. Jay Inslee (D - Wash.). "And the reason [is] because of an outrageous decision by a federal agency that caused outrageous increases of 300 to 1200% of the copyright fees that Internet Web broadcasters have to pay.

"And in protest of that outrageous decision," Rep. Inslee continued, "Web broadcasters today have joined together in a day of silence to let Americans know what's going to happen if Congress refuses to act to right this wrong. And I call today on my colleagues who will be hearing, and have heard, from many of their constituents on this day of silence.

"I hope they will co-sponsor H.R. 2060, the Internet Radio Equality Act. The simple fact is, if we do not pass this bill, Web broadcasters are going to go out of business, many of the 70 million Americans who enjoy music over the Internet will not get to listen to it. Congress needs to act, it's the right thing to do, and let's pass this bill."

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