News: Silence greets Webcasting fees
As previously reported, hundreds of small online radio stations were expected to turn off their music streams in a "Day of Silence." Many Webcasters fell entirely silent Wednesday while others replaced their music streams with periods of silence interspersed with public service announcements. In addition, some are running a 12-hour talk show called "The Emergency Webcasting System."

The protest stems from a proposed royalty fee set by the Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel (CARP), requiring Webcasters to pay record companies a fraction of a cent per listener per song, and pay per song for streaming an over-the-air broadcast online. For many smaller Webcasters, operating independently, the proposed fees could hurt them financially and drive them out of business.

The U.S. Copyright Office, which appoints members to CARP, is expected to vote on the rates by May 21.

Kurt Hanson, a publisher for a radio and Internet newsletter called "RAIN," said as of Wednesday afternoon the rally had gathered 100,000 listeners to the Web site, SaveInternetRatio.org. The site has served as a campaign hub where people can find more information about the CARP ruling and participate in the rally by contacting congressional members.

Although the Webcasters have had success in gathering a group of congressional members to support them, they also hope the "Day of Silence" will attract even more support. The Webcasters are encouraging listeners to contact their legislators about their feelings toward the proposed royalty fee and to send that message to the Library of Congress.
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