To protest the impending July 15th hike of artist royalties, several internet radio stations are halting broadcast today. Any opinions of this from some of you musicians? Personally, I echo the sentiment that it ultimately hurts smaller, niche/developing artists.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6240418.stm

Absolutely. The people writing copyright laws are the lawyers for the major labels, who don't make a dime off of independent artists or small radio stations, so it doesn't matter to them if they don't exist.

What, are they all not going to buy gas next Tuesday as well?

Shouldn't they halt broadcast on July 15th instead?

The point of today's silence is to hopefully raise awareness, which it is, since major news outlets (at least online) are picking up and running with the story. July 15th is the official blackout day. Hypothetically.

it's really going to suck if these royalties go into effect. much of current inet radio is toast under the new royalty structure.

Exactly. Especially many of the stations that cater to underground and niche market music. Obviously, Pandora will be gone as well as Live365, and probably Last.Fm's radio function. I wouldn't be surprised to see WOXY and other such stations do so as well.

I know for a fact that the radio station I currently have my show on is in trouble and could effectively end a good thing around these parts.

dammit. the show I am currently doing at this very minute is blacked out. Either we didn't pay an internet bill, or we're being protesters.

Pandora's silent but Launchcast isn't.

What is launchcast part of? Pandora is what all my friends are worried about. Its their source to find new music. Can't argue with its virtues there.

Launchcast got bought by Yahoo a couple years back so they're probably going to tough it out. Much deeper resources.

Unfortunately, it's not Mac-friendly, though.