Performance Rights Act
The Performance Rights Act (S. 379 and H.R. 848)
Big corporate radio fails adequately to serve minority communities or to present diverse viewpoints relevant to local communities. Importantly, ALL of the artist-sponsored legislation specifically carves out exceptions for smaller stations and ensures more - not less - diversity on America's airwaves.
- Small commercial radio stations: Over half of all commercial stations would pay as little as $100 and no more than $500 per year for all the music they can play.
- Noncommercial radio stations: Noncommercial stations such as NPR and college radio stations would pay as little as $100 and never more than $1,000 per year for all the music they can play.
- Stations pay only for the music they use: Stations that make only incidental uses of music, such as 'talk radio' stations, would not pay for that music. Stations that make some use of music, but do not have it as their dominant format, would be able to take advantage of a per program license option so that they pay only for the music they use.
- Religious services: Religious services that are broadcast on radio would be completely exempt.