With the growing interest in listening to music online, internet radio stations are gaining more popularity than ever. Music listeners everywhere are searching for ways to get the music they want from the internet. Some people like to download music directly to their computer. Downloaded music is convenient and is as versatile as an mp3. However, it can cost up to 1 per song to download and not everyone wants to pay that much for their music. Because of this, some users choose to download the song illegally from an unofficial source. While this is a relatively common practice, people do get caught in the act. And when they do, the fines can be steep.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the regulating authority over illegal music practices. Their job is to ensure that the musicians are being rightfully paid for the music they produce. When the RIAA discovers a case of illegal music sharing, they have the right to file a lawsuit against the law-breaking party.

Internet radio stations are monitored by the RIAA just like any other music provider. It is the responsibility of the radio stations to pay dues to the artists for each song that they play. For example, if the radio station plays Katy Perry’s “Firework” they owe Katy Perry’s recording agency a pre-negotiated amount for that song. All online radio stations operate the same way. Therefore, even though the internet radio listeners don’t pay any money out of their pockets to listen to the songs on the radio, each song is being payed for. Internet radio stations raise their own revenue from commercials and advertisements.

Internet radio is a legal way to listen to music. Music listeners are encouraged to seek out a good internet radio station to hear their favorite songs.