From a SaveNetRadio.org press release: "Legislation introduced by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) (pictured below left) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) (pictured right) today would save Internet radio from a recent royalty hike that threatens to bankrupt the industry.

"The Internet Radio Equality Act would vacate a Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) decision to increase fees webcasters pay to play music online by a devastating 300 to 1200 %. Companion legislation ( H.R. 2060) introduced in the House of Representatives on April 26th, by Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Don Manzullo (R-IL), has already garnered the support of more than 60 cosponsors.

"SaveNetRadio.org... applauded the bill's introduction, expressing their gratitude to Senators Wyden and Brownback for their leadership at this critical time for the Internet radio industry and the millions of Americans who listen online every day. 'Since the CRB's ruling, Internet radio listeners, webcasters and the artists they promote have joined together to urge Congress to prevent this vibrant industry from going silent on July 15th,' said Jake Ward, a spokesperson for the SaveNetRadio campaign.

"'On behalf of Internet radio's 70 million monthly listeners, thousands of webcasters, and the incredible diversity of talented artists it supports, we commend Senators Wyden and Brownback for their understanding of Internet radio's importance and for their leadership in taking the steps needed to save it.'"


Artists, labels, webcasters get behind Senate bill
"Other members of the SaveNetRadio coalition offered their support for the Internet Radio Equality Act:

"The Roots Music Association, an international organization representing more than 2200 independent artists and labels, headquartered in San Marcos, Texas said, 'we are very pleased by the introduction of the Internet Radio Equality Act in the Senate today. Internet radio has become the lifeblood for so many independent artists that depend on the promotional accessibility it provides niche roots based genres,'...

"Tim Westergren, Founder of Pandora,... commended the legislation, saying, '[the Senators'] support shows an understanding of the invaluable exposure that Internet radio provides to emerging artists, as well as an acknowledgment of the diverse listening experience it offers to music lovers,'...

"Outbound Music, a Christian webcaster and retailer said, '...With the passage of this bill, we can rest assured that our spiritually edifying content will continue to reach as wide an audience as possible while allowing fair compensation to artists and affordable rates to webcasters.'

"Lisa Mathews from the critically acclaimed band Milkshake offered her support of the Internet Radio Equality Act saying, 'Milkshake makes original rock music for kids... Webcasters provide an outlet for kids and parents to hear new music — music that is pretty much ignored by traditional radio. For me the value is undeniable. I should pay them for the service they do — I really should. The least I can do is keep their rent low, and be fair when it comes to royalties.'

"Ian Rogers, VP and GM, Yahoo! Music, said, 'Internet radio has empowered and benefited artists and music lovers alike by removing the physical limitations and barriers that once separated musicians from their fans... We applaud Senator Wyden and Senator Brownback for their leadership and urge Congress to take notice and action.'

"Grammy nominated artist, SONiA said, 'Internet Radio allows artists like myself in every imaginable form to sing and be heard around the country and around the world. And because my music is now frequently heard on Internet Radio I am maintaining a successful career that would be impossible without this open medium."

Senators emphasize parity, value to artists
Statements released today from the offices of the Senators co-sponsoring the bill underscore the urgent need for Congressional intervention to throw out the proposed CRB rates and determine webcaster rates based on a standard similar to the one used for other digital services like satellite radio.

A joint statement from Senators Brownback and Wyden also emphasized the need to bring the rates down to a level that allows webcasters to continue operating instead of being "driven out of business" by the proposed rates.

“Our bill is about standing up for folks ranging from a small Webcaster in a basement in Corvallis to an innovative startup in Beaverton to a new band trying to be heard in Portland to a huge music fan in Coos Bay,” Sen. Wyden said.  “Keeping Internet radio alive is part of a broader issue that is important to me — keeping the e-commerce engine running by preventing discrimination against it."

Twelve members of the U.S. House of Representatives added their names as cosponosors of H.R. 2060, better known as the Internet Radio Equality Act, yesterday. A total of 64 House members now back the bill.

The most recent cosponsors include Reps. Jim Matheson (D-UT) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), both members of the key Energy and Commerce committee.

The most recently added co-sponsors are highlighted in blue in the chart.

Bill sponsors
	Representative Jay Inslee Washington's 1st District 6th-term Democrat Key committee(s): Energy and Commerce
	Representative Donald A. Manzullo Illinois's 16th District 8th-term Republican

Co-sponsors
	Representative Neil Abercrombie Hawaii's 1st District 10th-term Democrat
	Representative Todd Akin Missouri's 2nd District 3rd-term Republican Key committee(s): Small Business
	Representative Michael Arcuri New York's 24th District 1st-term Democrat
	Representative Tammy Baldwin Wisconsin's 2nd District 5th-term Democrat Key committee(s): Energy and Commerce; Judiciary
	Representative Roscoe Bartlett Maryland's 6th District 8th-term Republican Key committee(s): Small Business
	Representative Earl Blumenauer Oregon's 3rd District 7th-term Democrat
	Representative Rick Boucher Virginia's 9th District 13th-term Democrat Key committee(s): Energy and Commerce; Judiciary
	Representative Corrine Brown Florida's 3rd District 8th-term Democrat
	Representative Vern Buchanan Florida's 13th District 1st-term Republican Key committee(s): Small Business
	Representative Michael Capuano Massachusetts' 8th District 5th-term Democrat
	Representative Ben Chandler Kentucky's 6th District 2nd-term Democrat
	Representative Stephen I. Cohen Tennessee's 9th District 1st-term Democrat Key committee(s): Judiciary
	Representative Joseph Courtney Connecticut's 2nd District 1st-term Democrat
	Representative Barbara Cubin Wyoming (at-large) 7th-term Republican Key committee(s): Energy and Commerce
	Representative Elijah Cummings Maryland's 7th District 6th-term Democrat
	Representative Susan A. Davis California's 53rd District 4th-term Democrat
	Representative Peter A. DeFazio Oregon's 4th District 11th-term Democrat
	Representative Keith M. Ellison Minnesota's 5th District 1st-term Democrat Key committee(s): Judiciary
	Representative Brad Ellsworth Indiana's 8th District 1st-term Democrat Key committee(s): Small Business
	Representative Anna Eshoo California's 14th District 7th-term Democrat Key committee(s): Energy and Commerce
	Representative Sam Farr California's 17th District 8th-term Democrat
	Representative Bob Filner California's 51st District 8th-term Democrat
	Res. Com. Luis Fortuno Puerto Rico (at-large) 1st-term Republican
	Representative Virginia Foxx North Carolina's 5th District 2nd-term Republican
	Representative Al Green Texas's 9th District 1st-term Democrat
	Representative Raul M. Grijalva Arizona's 7th District 3rd-term Democrat Key committee(s): Small Business
	Representative Luis V. Gutierrez Illinois' 4th District 8th-term Democrat Key committee(s): Judiciary
	Representative Brian M. Higgins New York's 27th District 2nd-term Democrat
	Representative Baron Hill Indiana's 9th District 4th-term Democrat Key committee(s): Energy and Commerce
	Representative Maurice Hinchey New York's 22nd District 8th-term Democrat
	Representative Michael M. Honda California's 15th District 4th-term Democrat
	Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. Illinois' 2nd District 7th-term Democrat
	Representative Timothy V. Johnson Illinois' 15th District 4th-term Republican
	Representative Steve Kagen Wisconsin's 8th District 1st-term Democrat
	Representative Dale E. Kildee Michigan's 5th District 16th-term Democrat
	Representative Mark S. Kirk Illinois' 10th District 4th-term Republican
	Representative Barbara Lee California's 9th District 6th-term Democrat
	Representative John Lewis Georgia's 5th District 11th-term Democrat
	Representative Jim Matheson Utah's 2nd District 4th-term Democrat Key committee(s): Energy and Commerce
	Representative Jim McDermott Washington's 7th District 10th-term Democrat
	Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers Washington's 5th District 2nd-term Republican
	Representative Gerald McNerney California's 11th District 1st-term Democrat
	Representative Michael R. McNulty New York's 21st District 10th-term Democrat
	Representative Michael H. Michaud Maine's 2nd District 3rd-term Democrat Key committee(s): Small Business
	Representative James P. Moran Virginia's 8th District 9th-term Democrat
	Representative John Olver Massachusetts's 1st District 8th-term Democrat
	Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. New Jersey's 6th District 10th-term Democrat Key committee(s): Energy and Commerce
	Representative Ron E. Paul Texas' 14th District 10th-term Republican
	Representative David E. Price North Carolina's 4th District 10th-term Democrat
	Representative Dave Reichert Washington's 8th District 2nd-term Republican
	Representative Tim Ryan Ohio's 17th District 3rd-term Democrat
	Representative John Salazar Colorado's 3rd District 2nd-term Democrat
	Representative Christopher Shays Connecticut's 4th District 11th-term Republican
	Representative Carol Shea-Porter New Hampshire's 1st District 1st-term Democrat
	Representative Adrian Smith Nebraska's 3rd District 1st-term Republican
	Representative Zack Space Ohio's 18th District 1st-term Democrat
	Representative John M. Spratt, Jr. South Carolina's 5th District 13th-term Democrat
	Representative Lee Terry Nebraska's 2nd District 5th-term Republican Key committee(s): Energy and Commerce
	Representative Mike Thompson California's 1st District 4th-term Democrat
	Representative Tim Walz Minnesota's 1st District 1st-term Democrat
	Representative Frank R. Wolf Virginia's 10th District 14th-term Republican
	Representative Lynn Woolsey California's 6th District 8th-term Democrat