In a move that could mark the beginning of the end of Internet radio as we know it, Pandora has decided it can no longer offer its popular streaming service to non-U.S. residents due to concerns over DMCA issues. According to TechCrunch, Pandora will need to secure international deals before the service can be distributed out the U.S. The company’s decision comes in the wake of a stupid decision by the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board U.S. Congress to slap far-too-high royalty rates on streaming music – rates that are much higher than traditional and satellite radio. And you wonder why Web-savvy consumers, who love being able to discover lots of new music online, are still being tempted by P2P services! For more, check out the Pandora blog and Save Net Radio.
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The raising of royalties on streaming music was NOT a decision by the U.S. Congress. This was a decision by the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board. The U.S. Congress is currently considering legislation that would override the CRB and put internet streaming royalties more in line with royalties charged for more conventional broadcast services.
It truly is a sad state of affairs. One minute, the recording industry asks why we won’t buy their products. The next minute, they’re pushing us even farther away. You can offer a product that people want, but you can’t dictate how they want it, no matter how hard you try.
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[...] Mark is quite right that this isn’t the only fight that Pandora and Last.fm have on their plate: there’s [...]
[...] Mark is quite right that this isn’t the only fight that Pandora and Last.fm have on their plate: there’s [...]