Unfortunately, major labels are notorious for screwing artists, and that is sullying the battle for broadcast royalties on recordings. Just recently, the beleaguered EMI was sued by the Doobie Brothers, and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) was all-too-happy to trumpet the news. “The lawsuit is the latest in a long line of litigation against record labels for unpaid royalties to musicians, including the Beatles, Cher, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Pink Floyd and the estates of Count Basie and Benny Goodman,” NAB vice president of Media Relations Dennis Wharton told Digital Music News.

That is just one part of a broader media campaign designed to discredit the recording lobby, a group whose past transgressions are numerous. Of course, terrestrial radio broadcasters themselves can easily be accused of bilking recording artists, especially older performers with few or no publishing rights.

Both have made life harder for artists, and both are now suffering the effects of technological disruption and economic malaise. The pall of desperation is helping to intensify this battle, and raise the level of ugliness on the Hill.