National Music Publishers' Association President David Israelite urged House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers and ranking member Lamar Smith late Friday to consider introducing legislation that would clear up any confusion surrounding the constitutionality of a federal panel that sets copyright royalties. The request comes on the heels of a May complaint from licensing firm Royalty Logic asking that the Copyright Royalty Board be forced to vacate its decision in a controversial proceeding that set the fee structure for webcasters. The filing claims the CRB is unconstitutional because the Librarian of Congress, who is not technically the head of a government department, appoints its three judges.
If successful, the protest could mean the unraveling of all of the CRB's decisions since its judges were appointed in 2006. "This could cause complete chaos in the marketplace," Israelite wrote in a letter. In it, he notes that in the proceeding in question, songwriters, music publishers, digital media firms and record labels negotiated a landmark deal on the rate and terms for musical works delivered by interactive streams and limited downloads. The board's decisions "should not be thrown away because of a technicality," he said. NMPA wants Conyers and Smith to sponsor a bill that would make moot any challenge to the CRB based on the appointments clause of the Constitution as well as uphold its determinations.
To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Tech Daily Dose does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.
New Media
Online Politics
Tech Policy
Responded on June 29, 2009 3:42 PM
gameskillz
Killzone 2 - the best PS3 game yet?Still LittleBigPlanet for me, but Sony's new shooter is mightily impressive.
What you think about my web? http://www.easyfaxlesspaydayloan.com/easy-payday-loan.html
Responded on June 29, 2009 2:54 PM
lrr03
Whats your favorite beer?
I like Lowenbrau, Budweiser American Ale, and Shock Top Wheat.
Greetings
[url=http://www.porno5000.com/]Porno5000 6c5 [/url]
Responded on June 29, 2009 2:51 PM
peareffisse
Questions and answers about Beach hotel southern california and On the beach poster http://beach.goodnanoav.com/