Musicians hoping Pandora will join royalty-fee cause

Musicians battling for higher royalty payments from radio stations are lobbying former rival Pandora to join their cause. Pandora, the Internet radio company, abandoned its effort to convince Congress to lower its royalty fees.

The lobbying push had made it an enemy of advocacy groups pressing for royalty payments for musicians. Now the musician groups hope Pandora will help it press Congress to eliminate an exemption from royalty fees for AM/FM radio stations. The two sides have compelling joint interests. Musicians want the royalty fees, and Pandora wants a more level playing ground with AM/FM stations.

(Nov 30)