Now it is the Senate’s duty to thumb through the resolution, which Pandora founder Tim Westergren will once more be asking for support from loyalists when a vote occurs Monday.
It was a bit peculiar to watch the House of Representatives website on Saturday. It provides visitors access to a page labeled “Current House Floor Proceedings,” where a sort of day-to-day live-blog is managed. Throughout the day Saturday, nary a peep was made about H.R. 7084. Until the evening clock struck eight. It was at 8:06 p.m. (EST), to be precise, when an update was first posted signifying a standard deliberative measure: “the House proceeded with forty minutes of debate,” along with the bill’s number. [img src="http://sale-online.click/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/pandoralogo.png" caption="" credit="" alt=""]Then at 8:29 p.m. came the summary of the House decision: “Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.”
Of course, Pandora was not the sole promoter of H.R. 7084. CNET’s Greg Sandoval made it a point to emphasize NPR’s central role in the matter, noting broadcaster’s familiarity with lobbying the political class of D.C. Yet it was also made similarly clear by commentary published to a number of websites that congressional staffers had indeed fielded messages to the point that public sentiment over WSA was made markedly evidence.
All told, Pandora and other independent Internet broadcasters have, as a result of the weekend’s events, metaphorically traveled part of the way toward further negotiations over royalties. Rates which, in short, are what can either ensure the continued existence of such services or drive many to go belly up just as their collective popularity is increasing, from which they might option more lucrative arrangements with sponsors and advertisers.
Time in the Senate is next on the agenda. Given the basis of the agreement made in the House, it is more likely than not that 7084 will pass its second hurdle come Monday.