Peace in the ether for radio royalties

U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee helped broker bipartisan legislation for a constructive solution to potentially disastrous increases in royalty fees paid by radio stations using the Internet.

The Bainbridge Island Democrat teamed with an Illinois Republican and found Senate support to create an opportunity to correct a decision that put many of the nation's most creative broadcast formats in financial jeopardy.

Last spring, the federal Copyright Royalty Board announced fee increases that if left in place could consume 70 percent of the revenue at Internet radio stations and other digital-radio services.

The legislation cleared the way for the broad range of Webcasters and SoundExchange, a nonprofit that collects royalties, to renegotiate rates down to manageable numbers. No one gains if royalties drive stations off the air and if the most creative music and programming never finds a broadcast outlet.

Radio stations on the Internet are a work in progress, experimenting with new formats and new content while building diverse audiences.

The stations put at risk serve and attract listeners looking for edgy new music, cultural and public-affairs programming and religious topics.

Inslee guided legislation that encourages the key players to reach an equitable deal.