SoundExchange talks sense, world scratches head.

SoundExchange's John Simson appears to be softening up as Internet radio broadcasters nervously eye the gallows. Although the new rates are scheduled to go into effect this Sunday:

In an interview with RAIN last night, Simson explained, "For the people who want to comply with the law and are in bona fide negotiations with us, we don't want those people to be intimidated. And we don't want them to stop streaming." Simson qualified his statement by noting, "That's just so long as they're continuing to pay under the license they had."

So maybe your favorite station will still be on the air on Monday, but webcasters are nowhere near out of the woods yet.