In the United States the US Copyright office has sent internet radio operators and record companies back to the negotiating table to have another crack at hammering out a sustainable agreement for paying royalties on music used for internet radio stations.

An interim rate had been set, but expired at the end of last year.

While big broadcast companies have the power to negotiate hard on the issue, there about 300 smaller webcasters who say they do not have the funds to join in the arbitration process and negotiate the best deal. The smaller operators had previously been successful in lobbying congress to pass a bill to ensure that their payments were less than the bigger companies which could afford to pay more.