Senate Passes Webcaster Settlement Act 2009

The U.S. Senate has passed the Webcaster Settlement Act of '09. A similar bill passed the House several weeks ago. If signed by the President, the bill would suspend controversial royalty rates set by the Copyright Royalty Board while online broadcasters negotiate with labels, publishers and other rights holders.

Many webcasters say that the current proposed rate increase would put them out of business.

"The Webcaster Settlement Act provides webcasters an opportunity to negotiate financial relief from the Copyright Royalty Board's 2007 Internet radio royalty decision," said Jonathan Potter, executive director of the Digital Media Association which represents large web broadcasters. "Hopefully, as Congress continues to focus more broadly on sound recording performance rights legislation, more comprehensive legislation will soon level the regulatory playing field for all forms of digital radio."

A pdf of Potters full statement can be read here.