Dear Live365 Listeners,

Things just got more interesting...

The Internet radio royalty negotiations with SoundExchange continues to grind along but new legislation will soon pull an 800-pound gorilla into our battle.

A long hoped-for bill will be introduced soon by Rep. Howard Berman and Sen. Patrick Leahy to require AM/FM broadcasters to start paying sound recording performance royalties for which they have been historically exempt for over 90 years. It is doubtful that AM/FM broadcasters represented by the powerful National Association of Broadcasters will countenance paying any royalties at all--let alone the high rates demanded by SoundExchange.

Nevertheless, I am joining other large Internet broadcasters to drive home the point to Congress that whatever royalty rate we settle at, there should be a level playing field across all broadcaster mediums. It's a basic issue of fairness for Internet radio and artists.

Please click here to read the text of the letter that was sent to all House and Senate Judiciary Committee members.