Bill seeks music royalties for satellite downloads

BILL SEEKS MUSIC ROYALTIES FOR SATELLITE DOWNLOADS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Brooks Boliek]
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation that would require satellite radio companies to compensate the music industry for downloads. The legislation, by Senators Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and majority leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., is aimed at compensating copyright holders as satellite radio services become distribution services. The "PERFORM Act" or the "Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act of 2006" would require satellite, cable and Internet broadcasters to pay fair market value for the performance of digital music. Additionally, the bill would require the use of readily available and cost-effective technological means to prevent music theft.
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