NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Dec 5, 2011) - The Radio Music License Committee (RMLC) and The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) today announced a settlement in principle concerning the fees payable by America's radio stations to publicly perform ASCAP's 8.5 million plus musical works through 2016. The RMLC represents the vast majority of the nation's radio stations (over 10,000 radio stations) and ASCAP represents the majority of musical compositions played on the radio today through the creative output of its 425,000 songwriters, composer and music publisher members.
This settlement, when finalized, will cover the seven-year period 2010 to 2016. It would end ongoing Federal Rate Court litigation and provides for a return to a revenue-based fee structure as well as expanded coverage to accommodate the radio industry's newer distribution platforms for reaching listeners by means such as Internet websites, smart phones and other wireless devices. It also greatly simplifies the reporting process and administrative burden through electronic filing.
"This is a gratifying result for the radio industry, which reflects the current realities of our industry and puts the industry back on sound footing insofar as its licensing relationships with ASCAP are concerned," commented RMLC Chairman Ed Christian, CEO of Saga Communications. "We appreciate the good will which ASCAP has demonstrated in working with our industry to get this resolution."
According to John LoFrumento, ASCAP Chief Executive Officer, "The process of building this agreement was based on mutual trust and appreciation, and reflected both sides' clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities we each see for the future. I want to thank the Radio Music License Committee for its creative approach in respecting the value provided by music creators in our negotiations."
About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 425,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com