Performance Rights Act reintroduced

May 2009

On May 13, the House Judiciary Committee voted to send the Performance Rights Act, H.R. 848, to the full House by a 21 to 9 margin. During a lengthy markup, Members of Congress agreed to initiate a GAO (Government Accountability Office) study of the economic impact of promotional value of radio play, as well as an amendment that would offer reduced sound recording performance fees to small and noncommercial broadcasters. The supporters of the bill have indicated that additional changes will likely be made to the bill prior to any vote on the House floor. The bill still faces very heavy opposition in both the House and the Senate