So it looks like there was some truth to the rumors: SoundExchange wants webcasters to implement some kind of DRM as part of a deal to charge lower webcasting rates.
In response, the Digital Media Association (DiMA) has written a letter, in which it offered to work with SoundExchange to research the issue of stream-ripping (i.e. recording from streamed media), and see what solutions are needed. Implicit in this offer is the suggestion that stream-ripping may not be the boogeyman that the record labels claim it is. After all, there are any number of ways, both legal and illegal, for users to get much higher-quality music, with less hassle, than by waiting for a song to come around on a webcast and then record it, low bitrate and all.
We'll have to see if SoundExchange is actually interested in negotiating royalty rates, or if they'll insist upon requiring DRM, a proposal which would neither curb infringement nor recognize the rights of listeners.