4-8-15
The NAB's Dennis Wharton didn't take but a few minutes to let those in Congress know the lobbying arm of the broadcasting industry is ready for this fight. Wharton said, "NAB will strongly oppose the legislation reportedly being introduced by Rep. Nadler on Monday. It is disappointing that this bill retreads years-old policy positions rather than advancing the copyright dialogue through policies that help grow the entire music ecosystem. NAB stands ready to work with Congress on a balanced music licensing proposal that promotes innovation and recognizes the benefit of our free locally-focused platform to the benefit of artists and listeners. We're pleased that, in a little over three months into the new Congress, 147 House Members and 11 Senators already agree that the fees proposed by Rep. Nadler would kill jobs, hurt artist promotion, and devastate local economies across America."
Reps. Michael Conaway (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX) are the principal sponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act (H. Con. Res. 17) in the House of Representatives. Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) are the principal sponsors of the companion resolution (S. Con. Res. 4) in the Senate. "Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings," reads the Local Radio Freedom Act.
(4/10/2015 9:37:53 AM)
So the Labels and a few members of Congress feel Radio is screwing them? Yet it takes a LAW to compel the labels to STOP giving radio stations money and now they want to pass a LAW so radio stations have to GIVE Labels money? Wow - who's getting screwed here? Are the Neville Chamberlain's at the NAB going to help expose this hypocrisy or are they going to compromise and declare "peace in our time"?
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