[KFCF Friends] KFCF Streaming and archives

[KFCF Subscribers & Friends list]

KFCF has stopped our web streaming as of July 15.  It was a very 
difficult decision to make, but I felt it was important to keep us from 
exposure to possible legal action.  Most of the attention to this issue 
is focused on the new and higher fees imposed by the recording industry 
(Soundexchange) .  The higher fees are probably not the biggest problem 
for us, but the reporting requirements present a major challenge.  There 
are a lot of questions and few answers at this point.  But here are some 
things we do know:

This has nothing to do with the costs of streaming. This has to do with 
reporting and displaying meta information about the recordings on our 
web site in real time (as it is being streamed).  We also have to file a 
report documenting a range of information about every piece of music 
(copyrighted music that is) on our web stream for a two week period 
every quarter. KFCF does not fall under any of the 
contracts/negotiations with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, NPR 
or the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, all of whom are in 
negotiations with the record companies.The National Federation of 
Community Broadcasters has asked to have non-CPB stations included under 
the CPB agreement, but at this time we are not covered under the CPB.

Since KFCF does not have the technology or a process in place to meet 
the requirements and KFCF is likely on the radar of SoundExchange, it 
would be in the best interests in stopping the stream and archives until 
KFCF can work out the processes to meet the requirements.

The process that needs to be developed is not an easy one and we will 
need to spend time in developing software to support the requirements.

At this point we have an average of 1 to 4 concurrent listeners. Since 
the service is very lightly used, it was seen as the impact to our 
listeners is light compared to the impact KFCF could encounter with a 
law suit.

We are looking at ways to resolve this this problem, and will let you 
know how things are going.  In the meantime please feel free to let me 
know your ideas and views about this situation by sending a message to 
"vic at kfcf dot org" or "rwithers at kfcf dot org"   While many 
stations are going to continue streaming until there is some decision, 
but we just don't want to take a chance on not getting caught doing 
something that could cause problems for us down the road.

KPFA may still be streaming and archiving certain shows at this time, as 
they are CPB qualified, so feel free to check out www.kpfa.org

Rych Withers
President Fresno Free College Foundation/KFCF

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