Royalty Fight Could Extend To 2010

The pitched battle over whether radio broadcasters should compensate performers for airing their recordings is set to extend well into 2010, government and industry sources said, because congressionally brokered negotiations have so far failed to result in a breakthrough. At issue is an exemption in copyright law that shelters radio stations from paying royalties to artists for playing their songs on AM and FM radio stations. Groups such as the Recording Industry Association of America and Music First Coalition contend stations should pay for music that attracts listeners and advertisers. Broadcasters counter that musicians benefit considerably from the free promotion they receive when their songs are played on the radio and note they already pay royalties to composers and songwriters.