Setting Policy - It’s Wide Open
The House Small Business Committee heard it’s invited testimony yesterday on the issue of how to set royalty rates for internet radio broadcasters. Video of each panel member’s testimony can be viewed here.
The committee is fact finding right now on this topic, getting information and different perspectives. In theory, this will lead to a more considered and balanced approach to setting policy than merely listening to those who make the effort - or have the money - to go to Congress on their own initiative.
The issues in this debate really are somewhat complicated, but only if you focus on the specifics mechanics of how the technology works. If you view “radio” as “radio” no matter how it technically reaches it’s listeners, then the matter becomes much simpler. That’s not to say that the way royalties for traditional radio frequency broadcasters makes perfect sense, but by treating all “radio” the same you at least eliminate the issues created by imposing different requirements on different technologies and thereby creating competition issues to be weighed as well as the royalty issues.
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