Online music is in danger. After intense lobbying by giant music labels, the Copyright Royalty Board dramatically increased the rates webcasters must pay to stream online music. The change is so severe that it could force most independent and noncommercial Internet radio off the Web. Musicians, webcasters and listeners have joined forces to reverse the CRB decision.

The bipartisan "Internet Radio Equality Act of 2007" was introduced in the House by Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.) and in the Senate by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Sam Brownback (R-Kan.). The legislation would reverse the CRB decision in favor of a balanced structure that supports artists without putting webcasters out of business.

We need to stop the bad rules before they go into effect on July 15. Sign this petition to urge your member of Congress to pass the Internet Radio Equality Act.

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I was just reading about the Senate bill to overturn the Copyright Royalty Board's decision to raise royalty rates for streaming music online. I hope that there is enough pressure from the public to get this bill, and the similar bill introduced in the House, passed.