The hardscrabble fight for recording royalties from US-based broadcasters heads to the Senate early next week.  The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing chaired by co-sponsor Senator Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday, August 4th, another face-off between the special interests.  The hearing, titled “Performance Rights Act and Parity Among Music Delivery Platforms,” is also co-sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy.

The focal-point is S369, or the Performance Rights Act, a measure designed to broaden broadcasting royalty obligations beyond publishing.  The recording industry is fighting the good fight, though it remains unclear if this issue translates into something politically important enough to merit passage.

On the other side, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has been pushing many of the right political buttons – including those tied to the plight of small and minority broadcasters and the tarnished reputations of major labels.   Already, 244 Representatives and 23 Senators have voiced their opposition to the measure. 

Report by Alexandra Osorio.