Performance Rights Act (H.R. 848) - It's Real!!!

House Judiciary Committee Okays Performance Rights Act

Washington, D.C., May 13, 2009 – Today the House Judiciary Committee approved the Performance Rights Act (H.R. 848). The Bill will close a loophole in copyright law that allows music radio stations to earn billions of dollars each year without compensating the artists, musicians and rights holders who bring music to life and listeners’ ears to the radio dial. The following statement may be attributed to musicFIRST Coalition Executive Director Jennifer Bendall:

“We applaud Chairman Conyers and Committee members for their work on the Performance Rights Act and for supporting artists, musicians and rights holders in their fight for fair compensation when their music is used by AM and FM radio stations.”

“Our continued momentum in Congress is proof that it’s well past time to recognize the importance of fairly compensating the artists and musicians whose talent and hard work allows radio to generate billions of dollars in ad revenue each year.”

“Corporate radio’s days of hiding behind a loophole in the copyright law are over. For over 80 years, Big Radio has had a free pass to play music. All other music platforms – satellite, cable and Internet radio stations – pay artists, musicians and rights holders for the use of their music. It’s only fair that AM and FM radio be held to the same standards.”

“The Performance Rights Act is fair to artists, musicians and rights holders, fair to other radio platforms and fair to radio. It includes accommodations for small and minority-owned broadcasters.

“musicFIRST looks forward to working with Congress to ensure that U.S. artists and musicians receive the performance right they deserve.”