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Congress Gives SoundExchange and Webcasters Authority to Settle Royalty Rates
10/1/2008
On September 30, the U.S. Senate approved the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008, a bill giving SoundExchange and webcasters authority to finalize an agreement on performance royalty rates. The bill amends section 114 of the Copyright Act to give SoundExchange until February 15, 2009, to reach a deal over the statutory royalties owed by Internet radio stations, and other non-interactive online music services, to performers and sound recording copyright owners (generally record labels) when their music is performed publicly by means of a digital transmission. The legislation, which was passed by the House of Representatives on September 27, is expected to be signed into law by President Bush.