NAB Says Yes To No Performance Royalties

• A bipartisan coalition of 77 members of the House of Representatives and eight U.S. Senators have joined together to introduce resolutions in Congress in support of the Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA), which states, “Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on any business for the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station broadcast over the air.”

Reps. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) and Steve Womack (R-AR-3) are the principal co-sponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act in the House, while Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and John Barrasso (R-WY) are the lead co-sponsors of a companion Senate resolution.

In a statement of support, NAB President & CEO Gordon Smith said, “America’s broadcasters commend the bipartisan cosponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act for standing with their hometown radio stations against a devastating performance royalty. For decades, free radio airplay has promoted performing artists and their music, launched the careers of countless performers, generated unparalleled revenue for record labels and served the millions of listeners who tune into their local radio stations every day. We appreciate the bipartisan lawmakers in the House and Senate who have voiced their support for preserving the mutually beneficial relationship between broadcast radio and the music industry.”