Today, the Obama administration's Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) issued a new white paper recommending, "...that Congress create a right of public performance for sound recordings transmitted by over-the-air broadcast stations."

In a statement issued by the musicFIRST Coalition, spokesperson Tom Matzzie applauded the White House's recommendations:

"The White House recommendation is an important show of support for performers who have been waiting decades for fair pay for airplay. The members of the musicFIRST Coalition thank the administration for their support. A Performance Right for radio airplay is a non-partisan issue with support from the ideological Right, Left and Center. In fact, this administration's statement follows support from the last several administrations from both parties. The administration support underscores how important a performance right is to U.S. jobs and economic growth."

"Music is one of America's most important cultural exports but, as the new administration white paper indicates, U.S. performers aren't compensated when music is played on the radio overseas. That is because U.S. radio companies don't pay a dime to performers. To fix the foreign royalty inequity we need to fix the U.S. royalty inequity. This is money left overseas rather than brought into the U.S. economy."

"We appreciate the Administration's support and look forward to the day when performers are fairly compensated."

Click here to read IPEC white paper, in which the Obama administration makes the following specific recommendations regarding performance rights:

"...the Administration recommends a legislative change to provide a right of public performance that will improve international enforcement efforts." (Page 3)

"Create a right of public performance for copyright owners for sound recordings transmitted by over-the-air broadcast stations which, in part, will allow copyright owners to obtain overseas royalties that are now denied to them." (Page 3)

"Ensure Copyright Owners Are Entitled to Compensation When Radio Stations Play Their Works: Historically, in the U.S., there has been no right of public performance for sound recordings transmitted by over-the-air broadcast stations. The absence of such a right puts U.S. copyright owners at a disadvantage internationally. They are not permitted to collect overseas royalties because they are not granted rights in the U.S. The U.S. stands alone among industrialized nations in not recognizing a public performance right in sound recordings. The Administration recommends legislation giving sound recording owners that right." (Page 17)

"Recommendation: The Administration recommends that Congress create a right of public performance for sound recordings transmitted by over-the-air broadcast stations." (Page 17)

This afternoon the Radio Board of the National Association of Broadcasters released a "Term Sheet" regarding the performance rights issue. In response, musicFIRST advisor Tom Matzzie made the following statement on behalf of the coalition.

“While we are pleased that the radio broadcasters have for the first time acknowledged their obligation to pay the artists who are the foundation of their business, we are disappointed that they failed to vote on the deal both parties agreed upon in July. After a quick review, this new term sheet differs significantly from that agreement. We will be reviewing their term sheet further.”

Check back for more analysis in the coming days.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka addressed performance rights supporters in a May 27th press conference on Capitol Hill. Labor leaders assembled to show their support of the Performance Rights Act included AFM President Tom Lee, AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon, and recording artist Peter Yarrow, a longtime ally of the labor movement.

"In America, whether you're a performer, a firefighter, a teacher, a steelworker, or a coalminer, you shouldn't be cheated out of the wages that you earn. And yet, for the past 80 years, radio stations have used the publicly owned airwaves to make billions of dollars playing music without paying the artists who created it one red cent for using their recordings. That's why all 11.5 million members of the AFL-CIO stand united with our performing sisters and brothers in support of the Performance Rights Act."

"The Labor movement was founded on the principle of a fair day's work, for a fair day's pay. That's the principle that's at stake in the fight for the Performance Rights Act. Our efforts are tied to the struggles of workers across the country who are saying collectively "no" to corporate excess, and "yes" to corporate accountability.

The reckless greed that drives Wall Street is the same as the unconscionable greed that drives the handful of conglomerate corporate radio executives that control 75% of our nation's radio stations.

I'm going to give you one example, that's Radio One executive Cathy Hughes. In the middle of the great recession, Radio One executives fired workers, they cut salaries, and they slashed benefits while they set up for themselves a $2.7 million treasure chest for their own benefits and bonuses. Today the parking lot at Radio One may be less crowded than it was last year, but there are probably a few new Porsches there."

"I know where the American people stand in this battle. President Obama's administration has endorsed the Performance Rights Act. Even George Bush - even President George Bush endorsed the Performance Rights Act, and now it's time for congress to stand up and be counted on doing the right thing as well.

If you care about music, if you care about the rights of Americans to get paid for their work, if you care about doing what is right, be part of the good fight for our performing brothers and sisters. It's time to pass the Performance Rights Act; it's time for fair pay for air play."

 

Congressman George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Labor and Pensions, appeared at a musicFIRST conference to express his support of performance rights.

"We know that most performers are struggling, and even those who very well only bring the average up to about $40,000 a year for people who remain in the industry between 10 and 15 years. "

"We cannot let stand the idea that as we see greater and greater consolidation in the media, that somehow those large media corporations are able to use the work product, the creativity of these performers, and not compensate them. This is a basic principle: this legislation is fair, it's fundamental, and it's easily understood. We should not have trouble passing it, and restoring these rights to these individuals."