• Wired, Tuesday, May 15, 2007 10:16 AM

Copyright law has proved to be a real drag on Web users this year. First, the Googlization of YouTube put the stop (inadvertently) on certain video content, then Web radio was told to pay astronomically higher licensing and royalty fees to Big Music to retain the right to Webcast their music. The injustice exposed by the latter could force Congress into overhauling all copyright law--but there's a ways to go yet.

The new royalty payments kick in July 15, so the first order of business is getting the yet-to-be-appointed judge in the appeals case to file an emergency stay, which would allow Web radio to continue operating as it did the duration of the hearing. Most experts think that that will be granted, which is crucial, because it would make congressional intervention more likely.

Net radio needs Congress. Recently introduced bills in the Senate and the House indicate their interest in overturning the new rates implemented by the Copyright Review Board in March to 7.5% of revenue (the same percentage charged to satellite broadcasters). Aside from simply readjusting the rate, Congress might be inclined to take a broader look at the entire "cobbled-together" copyright system, which Wired says "hurts all parties involved, from artists to labels, distributors to fans," and finally, overhaul it.

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