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Inslee listens to a constituent.

Montage of Wing Point in Bainbridge Island and the Edmonds Ferry.

Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District

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Congress Passes Significantly Improved Webcasting Legislation
Inslee Sees Benefit for Internet Radio Industry, UW Broadcaster

15 November 2002

U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee praised last nights passage of significantly improved webcasting legislation that will essentially save many commercial and noncommercial Internet radio stations. Inslee started the movement in Congress to address the difficulties facing webcasters, and eventually was able to enlist the help of U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Said Inslee, "Last night's passage of webcasting legislation is truly good news for the Internet radio industry. I am proud to have helped move the ball toward our goal of finding a fair, working solution for all parties. While there remain future agreements to be reached, I am enthusiastic that Congress was able to provide a more equitable strategy, especially given the short time to work on the issue.

"This legislation will give hundreds of noncommercial radio stations, such as University of Washington's KEXP, a chance to work out a better deal for royalty payments. Helping webcasters can only have a positive effect on the difficulties currently faced by the Northwest's economy by helping this nascent high-tech industry. I commend all parties involved in this agreement and I urge them to continue negotiating towards a fair and equitable situation for all. Passage of this legislation is a victory for the Internet radio industry, artists, producers, and most of all, American consumers."

The final legislation passed by both chambers of Congress was an amended version of a reprieve previously introduced by U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner. The legislation included a number of positive provisions that will:

  1. Suspend royalty payments by noncommercial webcasters until June 20, 2003
  2. Authorize commercial webcasters to negotiate with Sound Exchange (the RIAA agent) and others over the next week to agree upon rates that are more reasonable than that mandated by the Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel. The Recording Industry Association of America has made verbal commitments to Chairman Sensenbrenner, Congressman Inslee, and Senators to offer significantly reduced rates.
  3. Allow artists to be paid directly from webcasters, rather than having to go through Sound Exchange.