Late last month we heard (our report here) the House Judiciary's Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet would hold a hearing on Internet radio royalties. Billboard.biz now reports its sources say a hearing will likely take place at the end of this month, "on or around November 27, 28 or 29." 
Lawmakers will hear testimony regarding on the Internet Radio Fairness Act, recently introduced to both chambers of Congress. The IRFA would require copyright judges to use the same "801(b)" standard in setting the royalty rates for Internet radio it uses for other forms of digital radio, like cable and satellite. Read more here. Billboard's sources say Pandora and a broadcaster will likely testify in favor of the bill, and SoundExchange and a recording artist will likely testify against.
The House bill, H.R.6480, is co-sponsored by subcommittee members Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Darrell Issa (R-CA), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).
Read Billboard.biz here.
We're happy to announce our second-annual RAIN Summit Europe industry event, May 23 in gorgeous Brussels, Belgium. We'll gather with Internet radio leaders from across Europe and around the world at the Hotel Bloom for a full day of informative panels, presentations and networking.
Comments