Music industry blasts broadcasters over performance rights

Musicians and recording studios sent a letter to Capitol Hill blasting broadcasters' latest advertising campaign. The letter, sent to all members, is the latest jab in a long-running battle over royalties.

The music industry wants broadcasters to pay singers and performers a royalty for playing their songs on the air. Broadcasters call the royalty a "tax" and say airing the music is free promotion for the artists. Currently, only songwriters receive royalties. But as the music industry struggles more than ever to recoup costs in the midst of plummeting CD sales, singers and bands say they deserve a cut of the payments as well. The Recording Industry Association of America, Music Managers Forum, American Association of Independent Music, and others say the promotional value of radio airplay has declined dramatically because audiences now get their music from so many other sources.