Pandora, the fast-rising “music discovery service” is in danger of being shut-out of business because of excessive license fees.
An appeal was sent out today from Tim Westergren, the site’s founder. Here is what he said:
“I’m writing today to ask for your help. The survival of Pandora and all of Internet radio is in jeopardy because of a recent decision by the Copyright Royalty Board in Washington, DC to almost triple the licensing fees for Internet radio sites like Pandora. The new royalty rates are irrationally high, more than four times what satellite radio pays and broadcast radio doesn’t pay these at all. Left unchanged, these new royalties will kill every Internet radio site, including Pandora.”
I wrote about Pandora here when I discovered it by chance and loved it instantly. Well, who wouldn’t? The experience is akin to having your own radio station, one customized to your taste. Streaming music is legal and Pandora pays artists their due.
Tim continues:
In response to these new and unfair fees, we have formed the SaveNetRadio Coalition, a group that includes listeners, artists, labels and webcasters. I hope that you will consider joining us. Please sign our petition urging your Congressional representative to act to save Internet radio: http://capwiz.com/saveinternetradio/issues/alert/?alertid=9631541
So there, if you’ve tried the service and love it, sign up and help save Pandora and other internet radio stations.
