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)