Not a lot has been going on about a particular bone-headed move by the RIAA and the royalty rates Internet broadcasters would have to pay.

If you listen to music streaming on the Internet, then this affects you. Many of the stations broadcasting over the internet are small-time operations which usually provide a “niche” service. These stations range from electronica to jazz to bluegrass. Recently there was a royalty rate proposal that all broadcasters would have to pay between 9/100 and 17/100 of a penny per song played. Small-time broadcasters were “getting away” with paying a revenue percentage rather than a royalty per play, but that would change, and it would even change for radio stations which already pay a royalty per play. The net effect of this would be to push the small-time “niche” providers out of business and load up the larger providers with advertising just to make ends meet. Now, XM and other satellite radio providers pay a percentage, and it’s a percentage that’s smaller than what small-time stream providers currently pay. It’s unfair that businesses would be forced out of business to pay royalties on music that they can no longer afford to broadcast.

You can read more about it here. There’s also a petition system there that will locate your congressman and let you call and bug them about HR 2060.

Call today. The new royalties go into effect JULY 15th.