That's the name of a bill that was introduced earlier today by Rep. Inslee (D-WA) and 8 other co-sponsors.  Its purpose is to put internet radio on the same footing as satellite radio, which I've been a big proponent of.  That means the same standard when it comes to royalty rate setting and a royalty rate of $0.33 per hour or 7.5% of revenues, which is what satellite radio pays.  On a side note, terrestrial radio should also be on the same playing field. If this bill were to become law, it would be a huge reprieve for webcasters and, I'm sure, lead to more investment in the medium.

I've said that it would take an act of Congress to stop webcasters from going under, which is what happened last time around with the Small Webcaster Settlement Act.  The Internet Radio Equality Act represents the best shot for webcasters to finally be on equal footing.  I think terrestrial radio should also have to pay royalties.  I haven't talked to any of my former colleagues in the industry about which way the political winds are blowing on this and whether there will be enough momentum to get this passed.  Last time around, the music industry lobbied the congressmen sympathetic to them to modify or threaten to hold up the proposed legislation unless they got some provisions that they wanted.  I expect the same thing to happen here so I doubt the Bill will pass with all of the provisions intact as-is, if it passes.

To that end, the Webcasters are organizing a Day of Silence on May 8th as a way of attracting attention to their cause, which is what we did 5 years ago to attract attention to the cause (I'm proud that I played a small role in conceiving of the idea and getting Kurt Hanson and other Webcasters behind it).  They're also organizing a Hill Walk to rally support for the bill.  If you'd like to voice support for Webcasters, do so by calling your Congressman and asking them to support the Internet Radio Equality Act.

[Cross-posted from ragsgupta.com]