Conyers To Radio: Let's Make A Deal
As CongressDaily and Tech Daily Dose reported earlier, aides for House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers have been hard at work on a manager's amendment intended to calm broadcasters' fears that legislation his committee will mark up Wednesday could harm local radio and diversity on the airwaves.
Some details have emerged about what Conyers plans to offer:
Affordable payment for small, rural, nonprofit, minority, religious and educational broadcasters: Any station that makes less than $100,000 annually will pay only $500 annually for unlimited use of music. Any station that makes less than $500,000 but more than $100,000 annually will pay only $2500 (half of the amount in introduced bill) annually for unlimited use of music. Any station that makes less than $1.25 million but more than $500,000 annually will pay only $5,000 (the amount in introduced bill) annually for unlimited use of music.
Some relief from the current economic situation: No payment for two years by any station that makes less than $5 million annually; No payment for one year by any station that makes more than $5 million annually.
Parity for all radio services: Establishes a "placeholder" standard to determine a fair rate for all radio services that will encourage negotiations between the stakeholders.
Cannot hurt local communities: Assures that this legislation cannot affect broadcasters public interest obligations to serve the local community.
Assures consideration of relevant evidence: Evidence relevant to small, noncommercial, minority, and religious broadcasters and religious and minority royalty recipients must be considered by the Copyright Royalty Judges.
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