Web Radio's 'Day of Silence' Protests Royalty Increases

NEW YORK – Web radio broadcasters across the United States were preparing for a 'Day of Silence' on June 26 to protest the U.S. government's plans to boost royalty payments to artists and record companies by more than 300 percent, when their music is played online.

"These proposals will bankrupt the industry," Jake Ward, a spokesman for the lobbying group SaveNetRadio Coalition, said on Monday. "They're killing the Golden Goose."

The 'Day of Silence' is being organized by SaveNetRadio Coalition, whose 14,000 members include: Yahoo Inc., Viacom Inc, and RealNetworks Inc..

SaveNetRadio said the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board's March decision to boost royalty rates will kill the fledgling industry, if goes into effect on July 15. It is hoping the 'Day of Silence' will help raise public awareness of the issue.

The organization said the proposal also requires additional administrative fees which the organization estimated could cost Webcasters around $1 billion.