As we mentioned here, the House could vote next week to delay payment of Internet broadcast royalty payments for six months. Live365 tells you how to get involved:
- A new bill was introduced in the US House of Representatives that would allow for a six month stay on the DSRP royalty rates.
This is HUGE, in that it permits an opportunity for Congress or the courts to remedy the unfair royalty.
But we must act quickly.
I know you’re tired of hearing about this stuff. But this is a HUGE break, and we need to blow this one out on the order of the CARP effort last spring!
Please call or send the note below to your U.S. Representatives before September 30, 2002. Ask them to support H.R. 5469.
VIA PHONE
1) Call your Member of Congress by dialing (202) 225-3121 and ask to be connected to the office of your Representative.
2) If you don’t know who your Representative is, go to the following website and input your state and zip code:
Phone calls are more useful at this hour, so use this link to find out who to ask for, then call (202) 225-3121.
3) When connected to your Representative’s office, ask to speak with the legislative assistant who handles Internet issues.
Tell that person that you are calling to ask the Representative to support HR 5469, which will be voted on TUESDAY by the House of Representatives.
Tell the assistant that you are an Internet radio broadcaster and listener, and that HR 5469 will help the Internet radio industry, which will be bankrupted and silenced by an unfair royalty that is under appeal in the courts. It is only fair that the royalty payment date be delayed until the court decides the final royalty, and that is all this bill will do.
VIA EMAIL
Once you’ve called, you can also follow up with an email. Send your Representatives the sample note below, or edit it accordingly.
Use this link to send an email before September 30:
Sample Letter
Vote FOR H.R. 5469
Dear Representative ___________________:
Please support H.R. 5469, a bill that will be voted on October 1 by the House of Representatives, and stay the execution of hundreds of Internet radio stations while an appeal is pending in the courts.
On October 20 a new copyright royalty must be paid by Internet radio services. Hundreds of small Internet radio services have already shut down as a result and many hundreds more services cannot afford the royalty and will shut down when the payment is due.
As a broadcaster and listener to Internet radio, I ask you to support H.R. 5469 and allow these webcasters to stay in business while the court considers their appeal.
Please vote for H.R. 5469 — SAVE Internet radio.
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Thank you. Please spread the word! Time is of the essence!