The battle over terrestrial radio recording royalties moves to the US Senate this week, though opposition remains strong across both chambers.  But as the Senate Judiciary Committee discusses the nuances of the Performance Rights Act (S379), another, unexpected argument is starting to poke through.

Despite a somewhat tangential relationship to the issue, online broadcasters are using the debate to push for rate parity across all platforms – online, offline, or satellite.  “[These] hearings will hopefully serve as a precursor to fundamental changes in copyright law that will establish sound recording royalty parity across all forms of radio, including large and small broadcasters, webcasters and satellite radio,” said Jonathan Potter, executive director of DiMA (Digital Media Association).

And the emissary?  That would be RealNetworks executive vice president and general counsel Bob Kimball, who testifies on Tuesday.  RealNetworks, like its online broadcasting peers, has plenty to gain from these proceedings.  “Balanced legislation that ensures internet radio and all our competitors pay royalties, and that the royalty amounts are both fair and equitable among competing technologies and business models, means everyone wins,” Kimball stated.