But seriously, folks...

If you live in the United States and you enjoy webcasters and the audio streams you listen to in SL, you need to get in touch with your Senators immediately.

The Copyright Royalty Board has decided to charge Internet webcasters and noncommercial broadcasters such as NPR per song streamed... and backdate the new charges for years to the beginning of 2006. This change will effectively kill Internet webcasting.

Ask your senators to co-sponsor the Internet Radio Equality Act, which overturns the decision so that the current percentage of revenue model is maintained, and the percentage set to the same level as that charged satellite radio broadcasters, 7.5%.

Go here to find out how to get in touch with your Senators. Call them and express your opinion. If you don't, you can kiss your audio streams goodbye.