Pandora, the internet music streaming service, is now joining forces with record labels to force regular radio to pay royalty fees as well. Pandora was once thought to be closing its doors after royalty fees increased but they’re back with a new deal with record companies and a business model that will keep them afloat.

Not only is Pandora now charging individual users for streaming music, they want music stations that play the songs to pay similar music fees. For example, when a regular radio station plays a song, the artist and the record label don’t make any money but from companies like Sirius and Pandora, they get paid!. However, regular radio claims that they should be exempt from such fees because they are the main artery of mass popularity.

Pandora’s new business model charges $36 a year for their service, without any ads and unlimited music streaming. If you’re a fan of the service, I’m pretty sure you can come up $3 a month. Just don’t make a visit to Starbucks one morning and you’re set.

(Via CrunchGear)