If you listen to a local radio station streaming online, a service like Pandora, or an online polka station like 247PolkaHeaven or Polka Jammer, you’ve probably heard the uproar over the Copyright Royalty Board’s decision to substantially raise performance royalty rates paid by online radio operators (webcasters). Starting July 15, royalty rates will be changed from a percentage of revenue to a per-song, per-listener fee, with a minimum fee of $500 per month. The rates are also retroactive to January 2006.
These new royalty rates (which are collected by a record industry-backed organization called SoundExchange) threaten to put many webcasters out of business entirely. SoundExchange counters that most of these increased royalties go to artists, who deserve to be fairly compensated for their work. The issue is coming to a head in Congress where the recently-proposed Internet Radio Equality Act intends to reduce rates and bring them in line with what satellite radio operators pay. It appears unlikely, though, that Congress will act on the bill before the new rates take effect on Sunday.
(Note: This is a mile-high view of a relatively complicated issue; if you want to learn more, David Byrne has one of the clearer explanations I’ve read.)
So, where do online polka radio stations fit into all this?
Ever since we started this site, I’ve been amazed at the vibrant community of online polka radio broadcasters and listeners. For a genre that’s been virtually eliminated from the commerical radio dial, it’s heartening to see so many people enjoying and spreading that music online. However, the online polka radio stations are run for love, not money, and these fee increases could kill one of the few arenas where polka music has managed to thrive.
However, the Polka America Corporation has stepped in and brokered a deal with SoundExchange that will allow online polka radio to continue. They’ve worked out a licensing program where stations can continue to stream music from polka bands who waive their right to any performance royalties (which were pretty much non-existent anyway). Bands just need to sign up with the PAC in order for their music to be played on online polka radio going forward.
It’s not an ideal solution — while the online polka stations can continue broadcasting, they’ll have to limit their repertoires to those artists who’ve signed the licensing agreement. But it’s certainly better than the alternative: the elimination of online polka radio entirely.
13 Comments:
Thank goodness for PAC! I’ve signed up and told all my band friends to as well…
by Phillip on July 12th, 2007
Thank you for your efforts. I grew up on polka music on the radio and records. I agree that musicians should be paid fairly but I guess in a few years if you hum a tune somebody is going to want a nickel. I don’t have a band but really enjoy the music that is no longer available on the radio and have found the 247 and Polkajammer to listen to when I am at work.
Thanks again.
Ambrose R. Kozlowski
by Ambrose Kozlowski on July 13th, 2007
Agreed. It’s already so hard to find polka music, it’d be a shame if these venues disappeared.
by Chris on July 13th, 2007
hi poppop u r the best i love ur accompeshment ur so cool
by victoria kozlowski on June 26th, 2011
poppop i just want to congradulate you and i want u to keep doing ur band and i always want you to remember it and when you can perform Madelyn and i will take over. poppop u r smart and funny and cool and creative u r so special to me and u will always be my buddy.
i love u very much
by victoria kozlowski on June 26th, 2011
Well what a difference a couple of years make. I made a comment back on July 13, 2007. I now found a couple of good friends and we play alot of the old music from a long time ago – Polka, Waltzes and Obereki. Our little group is the PIWO Band because that is what we enjoy.
by Ambrose Kozlowski on June 26th, 2011
To my best buddy,
Your my inspiration. I look at you and Madelyn and see how wounderful both of you are growing. When I play my songs I think of you when you use to come to the dance every year and call out POP POP as you danced by the band.
Keep up the good work.
Love you back very much.
by Ambrose Kozlowski on June 26th, 2011
i remember that
by awww i rember that on June 27th, 2011
hey pop how u doing i cant wait until the beach
u have to start teaching me polka music k
love u
by vicky on July 29th, 2011
the beach is going to rock i wish we could camp out but i think staying at a hotel will b alot better
by vicky on July 29th, 2011
hi poppop i saw you face book page when i went to see me VERY talented grandfather :))))
hehehe i hope that i can see you again soon i miss you a lot and i wanna see you and grandma Linn
i have 2 B’s and 6 A’s on my report card i am so proud and i am also taking the S.A.T in January i am really nervous being a 7th grader and all but oh well what can i say i am smart (:^) lol i will see you again soon
bye bye my best buddy :)))
love vicky
by victoria kozlowski on November 3rd, 2011
hi pop
by victoria kozlowski on November 4th, 2011
hey mr. popola how u’s been!!!!!!!!!!
by victoria kozlowski on November 26th, 2011