eMusic Calls On Music Fans To Take Action To Support Internet Radio

NEW YORK, June 27, 2007 -- eMusic, the world’s largest retailer of independent music and the world’s second-largest digital music service, is encouraging music fans to support SaveNetRadio.org, and to contact their congressional representatives to urge them to co-sponsor the Internet Radio Equality Act. 

eMusic will also make a modest contribution to SaveNetRadio.org and three other internet radio stations, KEXP, KCRW and SomaFM. As the largest retailer of independent music, eMusic believes it is vital for diverse and numerous internet radio stations to survive and prosper for sales of independent music to continue their astounding growth. The company has created various internet radio “mash-ups” at(http://radio.emusic.com), which enable listeners to check out these stations, among others, and simultaneously download the music they discover on eMusic. 

Internet radio has flourished over the last ten years, exposing fans all over the world to a rich variety of music from every conceivable genre, and providing valuable promotional opportunities to independent artists that are not available on terrestrial radio. On March 2, the Copyright Royalty Board, which oversees sound recording royalties paid by Internet radio services, increased internet radio royalties by between 300 and 1200 percent. The ruling goes into effect on July 15 and if the increased rates remain unchanged, many internet radio stations will be forced to cease broadcasting on this date. In April, the Internet Radio Equality Act was introduced in both the House and Senate. This bill would toss out the Board's decision and return webcasting industry royalties to a traditional percentage-of-revenue model. 

“Internet radio is one of the most vital ways to discover new music, and yesterday’s internet radio ‘Day of Silence’ has reminded us of how much we gain as listeners when we aren't locked into a choice between mainstream radio and MTV,” said David Pakman, eMusic President and CEO. “eMusic supports independent artists and we know our customers do too. That’s why we're urging them to call their legislators, contribute, and do everything they can to support the Internet Radio Equality Act.” 

For more information on how to support the Internet Radio Equality Act, go to(http://www.savenetradio.org/act_now/index.html.) 

About eMusic 
eMusic (http://www.emusic.com) is the world's leading digital retailer of independent music, second only to iTunes in number of downloads sold. The eMusic Web site offers a global catalogue of more than 2.5 million tracks from established and emerging artists in every genre from the world's leading independent labels. Created by music experts for music fans, it features award-winning editorial content, a vibrant online community and unrivaled music discovery tools. A subscription-based service that offers 25 free downloads at sign-up, eMusic gives consumers an inexpensive, low-risk way to explore great new music they wouldn't find otherwise, and unlike other download services, its universally compatible MP3 files play on any device including the iPod®. Based in New York with an office in London, eMusic.com Inc. is wholly owned by Dimensional Associates, Inc., the private equity arm of JDS Capital Management, Inc. 

NOTE: eMusic is a registered trademark and eMusic.com is a trademark of eMusic.com Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contacts: 
Cathy Halgas Nevins 
eMusic 
212-201-9201 or cnevins@emusic.com 

Denise Yantin 
eMusic 
212-300-2885 or dyantin@emusic.com