WASHINGTON, DC – NAB today placed a "shot-clock" graphic on its Web site emphasizing SoundExchange's continued refusal to respond to a good-faith offer from NAB to resolve a rate dispute related to radio stations that stream music online.
NAB's original offer was made on June 6 in a meeting between executives from NAB and SoundExchange, an organization created by the record conglomerates that comprise the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to establish and collect royalties for digital sound recordings. For 65 days, NAB has received no response, despite assurances from SoundExchange that a response would be forthcoming.
"The sounds of silence from SoundExchange are deafening," said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton. "SoundExchange's callous refusal to respond to our reasonable offer threatens not only the recording artists they purport to represent, but also a fledgling technology that benefits listeners."
NAB continues to actively support the Internet Radio Equality Act, legislation that would reverse a controversial Copyright Royalty Board decision that dramatically increased rates for local radio stations and webcasters that stream music over the Internet. The bill was introduced by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) in the House and has garnered 140 co-sponsors. Similar legislation, also supported by NAB, has been offered in the Senate by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sam Brownback (R-KS).
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association that advocates on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and television stations and also broadcast networks before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the Courts. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.
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