Oct 01 2008
What’s so confusing about the Webcaster Settlement Act?
(Washington, DC) On Tuesday the U.S. Senate passed the Webcaster Settlement Act , the legislation that lays the groundwork for Web radio stations to play songs that fall under the license without seeking permission. In return, Webcasters would be required to pay the negotiated rate. The bill is now headed to the White House where U.S. President George Bush is expected to sign it. While it is uncertain whether President Bush will sign the new bill, in a quick comment from the White House, the president said, “He he, I don’t know what I’m going to do about this Internets bill. But I can tell you that Laura and I think this whole Internets stuff is really great. Really great. I tell you, what will they think of next?”
Each of the presidential candidates were contacted to get their reaction to the bill and it’s potential impact. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee was quick to respond, “Michelle and I have been on the road for almost two years now, and being able to tune into Pandora and listen to some familiar songs has given us a real sense of normality. You know what I’m saying? No matter where we traveled in this great country and met with the middle class, as soon as we could find a broadband Internet connection we’d spend some quiet moments together listening to Internet radio and snacking on some Arugula lettuce. We then imagine we weren’t sleeping in so many different places; you know it’s almost like being in Earth Wind & Fire on tour or something.”
After a little bit of delay, John McCain answered with an official statement, “Frankly I am unable to respond to this bill because I’m a little confused. The last time I checked, radio is what I listen to when I’m in one of my 13 cars. And try as I might, I just don’t get what this has to do with the tubes of the Internets. Could someone please explain this to me?”
Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: C.P.Storm
