Free Republic

...a framework of a deal in which stations would pay a total of about $100 million a year in performance fees. ...The association’s outline suggests that the largest stations pay a performance fee of 1 percent of net revenue, and smaller stations a lower rate or none at all. While labels and musicians have long sought performance fees, broadcasters have argued that the stations provide important promotion for artists, and that a fee might put small stations out of business. ...it would still need Congressional approval. ...Last year, after the both the House and Senate judiciary committees approved bills that...

Musicians and recording studios sent a letter to Capitol Hill this morning blasting broadcasters' latest advertising campaign. The letter, sent to all members, is the latest jab in a long-running battle over royalties. The music industry wants broadcasters to pay singers and performers a royalty for playing their songs on the air. Broadcasters call the royalty a "tax" and say airing the music is free promotion for the artists. Currently, only songwriters receive royalties. But as the music industry struggles more than ever to recoup costs in the midst of plummeting CD sales, singers and bands say they deserve a...

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved a bill to require radio stations to pay royalties to performers when their music is aired, a top priority for the recording industry. The Senate committee vote marks the furthest congressional progress yet for the measure, although it is still far from becoming law. Broadcast radio stations now pay song royalties to songwriters and producers, but they don't pay performance fees for playing the artists' music. In contrast, cable, satellite and Internet radio pay performance royalties. Under the bill, large radio companies such as Clear Channel Communications Inc. and Cox Radio Inc. would...

<p>The National Association of Broadcasters said Wednesday that a majority of U.S. House members are now opposed to imposing new fees on radio stations to pay performance artists.</p> <p>Such a bill passed the House Judiciary Committee last month, but the NAB hopes the show of opposition will prevent it from being brought to the House floor for a debate and vote. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office is monitoring support for the issue but officials there said the speaker has no immediate plan to take action.</p>