Surprised I heard back from her … or her staff, I should say. haha

———

May 7, 2007

Mr. Matthew Moldvan
[my address was here, but ppl are weird :P]

Thank you for contacting me about the copyright royalties that Internet radio stations must pay in order to broadcast music online. I understand your concern that a recent court ruling to raise these royalty fees will force many Internet radio stations to shut down.

On March 2, a panel of copyright judges changed how the amount of these fees is calculated. Previously, small broadcasters could pay royalties as a percentage-usually about 12 percent-of the money they collected. The new calculation requires all online music broadcasters to pay royalties on a per-listener, per-hour basis and increases royalty rates.

A coalition of online broadcasters is currently in the process of appealing this ruling. I will monitor the situation as this appeal moves forward. Should legislation come before me in the Senate, I will be sure to keep your views in mind.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to do so again if I can be of assistance to you in the future.

Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator