Well this is just fantabulous. The Perform Act - which you'll recall is an anti-satellite radio bill introduced in the Senate - is now getting a little sister, thanks to Reps. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) and Mary Bono (R-Calif.).
The Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act of 2006 - called... wait for it.... The Perform Act - is a companion bill to the senate version introduced in April. In short, both seek to increase the royalties that satellite radio (as well as cable and internet radio) should pay by 'redefining' what exactly the value is of these broadcasts and the definition of fair-use. Now, mind you, that terrestrial radio doesn't pay a dime for the rights to broadcast music - so because satellite radio, cable and internet radio are digital - they want to squeeze more money out of them change the rules. These bills would also effectively disable any sort of advanced recording function, thereby sabotaging any innovative approach to music listening. Read this post if you want a further explaination about this.
"One of America's greatest treasures is its intellectual property," said Berman. "People are listening to more music in more places than ever. Yet the music industry is in crisis, with its revenue declining from $14.5 billion in 1999 to $12.1 billion in 2004."
Translation: who cares about about the consumer, innovation and any progression in technology, the RIAA needs more money!
Now, it's really no surprise that Rep Howard Berman is introducing this bill. Especially when you realize that the TV/Movie/Music industry is his top campaign contributor, not to mention that the Recorded Music & music production industry favors Berman just a little bit (Berman is their #1 recipient for the 2001-2002 election cycle). Ulterior motives? Nahhh. Rep Mary Bono has similar industry contributors, though with TV/Movie/Music at the top, but maybe that's just because they're from California? *cough* bullshit *cough*
An XM Satellite Radio spokesman had this to say:
"This bill would curtail new, innovative and legal devices that listeners want and that generate significant royalties for a broad range of artists and songwriters. It is the recording industry's attempt to gain leverage in negotiations between satellite radio and the labels."
I couldn't have said it better myself.
[via Billboard]
(Have you contacted your Senator yet? Well, now you can contact your Representative while you're at it. Please take 5 minutes and express your opposition to The Perform Act.)
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