Update: Seth Ben-Ezra has alerted me to some good news on this front from the Radio and Internet Newsletter. Thanks, Seth!

The Copyright Royalty Board decided in March of this year to triple royalty fees for internet radio stations, and the D. C. Court of Appeals today has denied the appeal of opponents of the new fee. Opponents are now urging people to call their congressmen and urge support of the Internet Radio Equality Act. But there’s no way that’s going to happen before these fees (which, incidentally, are retroactive to January 2006) take effect on Sunday, July 15.

Locally, that means WGLT, the jazz/blues NPR station out of Bloomington will likely stop webcasting next week. I haven’t heard what other stations may turn off their audio streaming once the new rates take effect, but the number and variety of internet radio channels will likely diminish precipitously.

It’s evidently the recording industry’s goal to alienate as many music lovers as possible. They’re succeeding.