Reply from one of my reps in Washington (both the Senate and the House have introduced proposed legislation addressing this issue... let's hope it passes!):

Dear Mr. Nichols:

I appreciate hearing from you regarding the Copyright Royalty Board and H.R. 2060. Your views, as a member of the North Florida family, are important to me.

As you may know, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) sets the royalty rates for Internet Radio stations streaming music. They have recently released new rates for stations eligible under their definition retroactive from 2006, that will gradually increase through 2010. I have serious reservations about the CRB decision to substantially increase royalty rates. Not only will it impact choice, but the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) manipulation of these rates, and the CRB's indifference will hurt working artists, damage small record labels and force law abiding small webcasters, who are already paying thousands of dollars per month in royalties, out of business.

This decision will also damage hundreds of small businesses providing goods and services to working artists, small record labels and small webcasters. These increases are significant and the community backlash to the announcement has led the Board to schedule hearings on the issue this spring. H.R. 2060 has been introduced into the House Judiciary Committee. This bill would reverse the royalty rates established by the CRAB and help internet radio companies continue to provide music at affordable rates so that consumers may continue to enjoy it. I will keep your thoughts in mind when voting on this legislation.

Please continue to write to me, and I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter by visiting my website at www.house.gov/boyd.

Sincerely,

F. Allen Boyd, Jr.
Member of Congress