I’ve written an article for CNET that details the current battle going on over in the U.S. Copyright Office over compulsory licenses for webcasts: Hot debate over the future of Webcasting.

Here are a few excerpts:

“After years of big-money litigation, bankruptcy, and polemics, Webcasters, artists, and labels are finally sitting down with the U.S. Copyright Office to hammer out the licenses under which music will be distributed on the Internet. But Webcasters and artists claim that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with its deep pockets and high-placed lobbyists, has hijacked the process and is setting up a world where the music industry fox guards the Internet henhouse…”

“The RIAA’s petition proposed that SoundExchange would be able to deduct administrative costs from royalties–prior to paying them out to artists–without setting any limitations on these costs. Artists would be required to foot the bill for any independent audits, and SoundExchange would be allowed to absorb any revenue from unclaimed royalties after only three years, despite the fact that the process for copyright holders claiming such royalties hasn’t even been decided yet. “

The gripes above are based on the RIAA’s petition that it filed with the U.S. Copyright Office and the memorandum that goes with it.