In case you missed the news, YouTube has announced the launch of YouChoose, a site that aggregates all of the official 2008 presidential candidate YouTube sites.
In other only slightly related news, the Copyright Royalty Board has announced a major decision regarding royalty rates for Internet Radio, and assuming that I am understanding it correctly, it may very well mean the death of Internet radio. Sites like Pandora are likely the first to go, with other smaller organizations soon to follow.
As a musician, I absolutely understand both the desire and the need for the RIAA to find a way to monetize internet radio. The artists and the labels responsible for the music can, should, and must be paid. But... it can, should, and must be done in a way that encourages the growth of both major and minor labels and artists, as well as the major and minor delivery mechanisms that support them. The playing field for royalties should be neutral.
Assuming I understand this announcement correctly, its tilted so heavily towards major labels, artists, and delivery mechanisms as to be laughable.
Anyone from Pandora, LastFM, or Live365 out there want to help bring clarity to this issue? Please?
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