Re: NAB challenge to US Copyright Office ruling rejected

[Shawn Mamros <mamros@MIT.EDU>]

It's amazing.  The cited article does not mention, even once, the fees
that radio stations already pay to ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.

The only way there will be a "level playing field" on the 'net would
be if the web-only-casters have to pay ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, *and* the
RIAA - just as radio stations will now have to, if they want to
webcast.

And the effect this ruling has could be far more widespread than just
NAB member stations.  Depending on how much the RIAA wants to extort
from non-comm stations, don't be surprised if more than a few college
stations find that they can no longer afford to run a webfeed.  I
sincerely hope that will not be the case, but right now I have no
way of knowing how big the bill from RIAA will be.

-Shawn Mamros
E-mail to: mamros@mit.edu