The White House Coordinator on U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement has issued a white paper urging that:(1) illegal streaming should be made a felony; and (2) a performance rights measure should be enacted.… Continue Reading
The NAB has endorsed a "Term Sheet" which would establish the existence of a "performance right" requiring radio licensees to pay royalties to musical artists. I have a gut feeling of inevitability -- but my real questions involve "when" and "how much".… Continue Reading
Before the chatter gets out of hand, it might be useful to clarify what we know and what we don't know about reports that the NAB may be moving toward some negotiated settlement on the performance rights front.… Continue Reading
It may not be surprising that the Senate Judiciary Committee passed S.379, the Senate's version of the Performance Rights Act, but the odds are still against the successful enactment of the PRA.… Continue Reading
A new front has been opened in the on-going struggle over the Performance Rights Act (PRA). MusicFIRST Coalition has tried to lure the FCC into the fray. And the FCC has taken the bait.… Continue Reading
Why has the Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a hearing on the Performance Rights Act when the House version already has more than 240 opponents (and counting)?… Continue Reading
Opposition to creation of a new performance right obligation for broadcasters has past a critical threshold, garnering support from more than a majority of the House.… Continue Reading
The NAB is running a cool new contest designed to encourage radio stations to help in the fight against the move for performance rights. Check it out.… Continue Reading
Last week, I delivered to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a letter urging her to look into the impact on minority broadcasters of the Performance Rights Act (PRA) pending before Congress.… Continue Reading
The House Judiciary Commitee passed an amended version of the "Performance Rights Act", but the number of Representatives on record as opposing this legislation has now increased to 192.… Continue Reading
The House Judiciary Committee is poised to "mark up" (vote on) HR 848, the Performance Rights Act, this Wednesday, May 13. With HR 848 currently boasting 41 co-sponsors, and the opposition movement claiming formal support from 184 Representatives who have signed on to H Con Res 49, the Local Radio Freedom Act, the future of this legislation … Continue Reading
"It's like throwing a surprise party for a friend, and at the end of the night your friend charges you for an appearance fee" -- That's how Spanish Broadcasting System VP/GM Frank Flores described the push by record labels to impose a performance fee on radio stations.… Continue Reading
I think broadcasters have let the record companies put them on the defensive by establishing a one-sided framework for the public discussion of the performance royalty issue. Maybe it's time to change that framework.… Continue Reading
The scheduled -- and then cancelled -- House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Performance Rights Act is back on. The Committee website says it will now be held on Tuesday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m.… Continue Reading
Wednesday's House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Performance Rights Act (which we mentioned to you earlier today) has been postponed.… Continue Reading
There will be a hearing on the Performance Rights Act, but will it be fair? This week’s schedule for the House Judiciary Committee shows that the Committee will hold a hearing on H.R. 848 Wednesday, March 4, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building, As we have previously discussed, H.R. 848 … Continue Reading
Talk about irony. Just one day after the 50th Anniversary of "The Day the Music Died", legislation - the Performance Rights Act (PRA) - was introduced that could hasten the death of all music on over-the-air radio. Read all about it.… Continue Reading
