Performance Rights Act

Surprise! Congress Helps the Britney Bailout Move Ahead.

Peter Kafka in Media on May 13, 2009 at 3:09 pm PT

I’m still skeptical that “The Performance Rights Act,” which would require radio stations to pay musicians–or at least, music labels–whenever they play one of their recordings, will ever get through Congress. Not because it’s a bad idea, mind you, but because the music business seems like an unlikely candidate for Washington aid. The bill, however, did take one big step forward today.

Will Britney Get a Bailout?

Peter Kafka in Media on March 10, 2009 at 1:31 pm PT

Call me a crusty skeptic, but I think it’d be hard for entertainers to get Washington to help them out in the best of times. So my gut is that there’s little chance that Congress will pass something called “The Performance Rights Act,” which would force radio stations to pay musicians–or at least, music labels–whenever they play one of their recordings.