To create your own Internet radio broadcasts, there are two things you need to know: The Rules and The Tools.

• Do you have your own Internet radio? Share tips and tricks!

The Rules

Audio copyrights are complicated and legally protected in special ways in the digital world. On February 1,1996, the Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act (DPRA) went into effect and gave the copyright owners of sound recordings (usually record labels) certain “public performance” rights for digital transmissions, so everyone can get paid fairly for their work.

But don’t let that stop you. Here is some explanation from the Recording Industry Association of America:

• “There have been recent amendments to the copyright law regarding webcasting of sound recordings. These new provisions allow webcasting under the terms of a statutory license, as a way to help webcasters get permission without having to go to each sound recording's owner. The statutory license, however, has strict requirements that you must follow. Some of these requirements include the payment of license fees, limitations on the number of songs from the same album or artist that may be played in a three hour period (called the sound recording performance complement); a prohibition on publishing advance playlists; and a requirement to identify the song, artist and album on the website. There are other requirements as well. The Recording Industry Association of America provides quite a bit of information on copyright law as it applies to webcasting, and both ASCAP and BMI have created license agreements that they are willing to grant to webcasters that they believe conform to the provisions of the new copyright rules for webcasting. For additional information on the statutory license and other aspects of webcasting, please visit the following sites:

• The U.S. Copyright Office

• The Recording Industry Association of America

• ASCAP

• BMI

Also check out the official license for small webcasters:

http://www.soundexchange.com/licensee/licensee_nwbs.html#rates

The Tools

Live 365
Live365, the world's largest independent Internet radio network, provides a "one-stop shop" for individuals to broadcast their music legally over the Web.

SHOUTcast
Nullsoft's free Winamp-based streaming audio system. “Thousands of broadcasters around the world are waiting for you to tune in and listen.”

Mercora
Mercora is a popular social music network providing software for members to legally stream their music online and to interact with other listeners and DJs.

SWCast Network
Provides low-cost music licensing plans for SHOUTcast stations.

Wavestreaming
Provides remotely hosted SHOUTcast and Windows Media servers, plus many other useful internet radio tools.

Pirate Radio software
This packaged software ($29.95 plus $10 shipping) promises “all you need is a Windows-based PC, sound card and a connection to the Internet and something to blast out to reach listeners all over the Internet.” A dedicated PC for broadcasting is recommended as broadcasting can be CPU-intensive.

* Real radio stations use advanced software tools to put their broadcasts online, including Sonixtream and Streamaudio.

See also:

• "How To Start an Internet Radio Station"
• Wavestreaming.com How To Start An Internet Radio Station

• A Web FM Primer
• Gadgets and Hardware
• PodCasts
• Stations: Online-Only
• Stations: Terrestrial
• Tips and Tricks