Beating the Fee

Jesse Walker | June 4, 2009

When we last looked at the Performance Rights Act, the recording industry's effort to require each radio station to pay performers when it plays their songs, the bill had passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 21 to 9. I'm happy to report that 220 members of the U.S. House -- a majority -- have now co-sponsored an opposing measure, the Local Radio Freedom Act, which opposes "any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge."

I was pessimistic about this battle: When Democrats outnumber Republicans, I generally expect the RIAA to beat the NAB. But those aren't the only players this time. Traditionally Democratic civil rights groups have lobbied heavily against the bill, pointing out the ways new fees could cripple small, minority-owned stations. Between their efforts and the NAB's, the song tax just might lose.

Comments

|6.4.09 @ 10:10AM|#

Moral of the story: Find a minority who is harmed by every bill, and every existing law. Change we can believe in!

|6.4.09 @ 10:26AM|#

But..but....but...it's stealing.

|6.4.09 @ 10:29AM|#

Now the 220 will have to file a discharge petition to get their bill to the floor...meaning it will probably die in the dark. We can hope the 'pay per airing' bill will die as well...after all this will mandate a new 'Fedzilla Free Airways Royalty Control and Accounting Agency' for oversight and collections.

|6.4.09 @ 10:33AM|#

So... Internet stations still screwed then.

Jesse Walker|6.4.09 @ 10:36AM|#

it will probably die in the dark

The important thing is that the people who co-sponsored the Local Radio Freedom Act aren't likely to vote for Conyers' performance rights bill. Since they're a majority, that doesn't speak well for the RIAA's chances.

So... Internet stations still screwed then.

Yep.

Hugh Akston|6.4.09 @ 10:44AM|#

It's too bad there's no minorities on the internet.

|6.4.09 @ 11:00AM|#

The Internet stations' lobbying group was applauding the tax on terrestrial radio, of course, viewing it as a level playing field. Hard to entirely blame them, but not the solution I'd prefer.

ed|6.4.09 @ 11:07AM|#

So... Internet stations still screwed then.

The last time I looked, there was no shortage of internet radio stations.

|6.4.09 @ 11:09AM|#

"The last time I looked, there was no shortage of internet radio stations."

Independent ones?

ed|6.4.09 @ 11:15AM|#

All kinds.

|6.4.09 @ 11:23AM|#

"All kinds."

Independent ones?

robert|6.4.09 @ 11:32AM|#

independent stations like ours on an island with a community of 700 broadcast Creative Commons, public domain and by permission music from local artists. For a small station with a small community these seemingly small charges can be very prohibitive.

perilisk|6.4.09 @ 12:45PM|#

To reiterate previous comments -- so... internet radio is still screwed, then.

But, while arguments are flying around portraying performance royalties as inherently unfair or inappropriate, the iron is hot for internet radio supporters to strike and force an explanation of the discrepancy.

ed|6.4.09 @ 6:40PM|#

"All kinds."

Independent ones?

"Independent" would be one of the "all," yes. Are you retarded?