SoundExchange To Audit Webcasters

Ready For An Audit?

Look for SOUNDEXCHANGE, the sole entity that collects statutory performance royalties from webcasters to begin auditing digital music services in FEBRUARY, 2006.

SOUNDEXCHANGE Exec. Director JOHN SIMSON says, "The audits, which are authorized under COPYRIGHT OFFICE regulations, are intended to ensure that all of the copyright owners and performers whose songs are being streamed are being fairly and appropriately compensated for the use of their recordings."

Webcasters that qualify for statutory licenses under the DIGITAL MILLENNIUM COPYRIGHT ACT must pay royalties on each performance of a copyrighted track and follow track- and artist-rotation limits set by the DMCA. The auditing will cover the years 2002, 2003, and 2004.

SOUNDEXCHANGE is starting its "enforcement program" with popular webcasters including AOL, REALNETWORKS, LIVE365 and YAHOO! and broadcasters that stream their programming online, including BONNEVILLE, CLEAR CHANNEL, COX RADIO, LIVE365, MICROSOFT, MTV NETWORKS, REAL NETWORKS, and SUSQUEHANNA.

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