May 12, 2007
The Honorable John Cornyn
United States Senate
517 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4302
Re: CRB Webcasting Rate Decision Affects Artists
Dear Senator Cornyn:
On behalf of musicians across the country I am appalled by the recently
introduced legislation (“Internet Radio Equality Act”) that would enrich
the coffers of mega-corporations like Clear Channel, Yahoo!, AOL and
Microsoft at the expense of creators of music. The recent ruling by the
Copyright Royalty Board setting royalty rates artists receive for the
streaming of their music on Internet radio is fair and reasonable. By
conducting their anti-artist campaign under the guise of helping small
webcasters, these corporations stand to receive a windfall of $100 million
or more during the royalty rate period 2006-2010.
I am all for remedies that help small webcasters build their businesses or
stay in business as they devise ways to earn enough income to pay artists
fairly for their hard work and for the sound recordings upon which their
businesses are built.
I believe that these royalty payments are an acknowledgment of the value
of the work of musicians, and the incredible effort and sacrifice artists
make to create the music we all enjoy. The idea that these corporations
are trying to drive down the value of the music they use to build their
businesses, and the payments they would make to musicians for the
unlimited use of their work, is insulting and offensive.
Sincerely,
Sara Hickman