Looking Beyond The SoundExchange/Big Webcaster Deal

While both parties view the new SOUNDEXCHANGE cap deal with major webcasters as a "win-win," a word of caution about unfinished business is also being expressed.

In his analysis of the deal with the major webcasters, which he describes as "excellent news," RADIO & INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER (RAIN) founder KURT HANSON said, "It's good that the sides are beginning to make baby steps of progress, but to suggest that we're almost done is ridiculous."

Among the issues still unresolved are 1) an agreed-upon new rate for large webcasters; 2) a comprehensive deal for small commercial webcasters that goes beyond SOUNDEXCHANGE's recent offer; 3) a comprehensive deal for broadcasters; and 4) a similarly comprehensive deal for non-commercial webcasters.

If that's not enough, all these unresolved issues are supposed to be ironed out by the time CONGRESS returns from recess --- right after LABOR DAY. Can all this be worked out in a week .. and if not, what happens then?

Read more about it here.

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