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Reps. Berman And Bono Introduce PERFORM Act Of 2006
May 12, 2006 at 12:13 PM (PT)
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Rep. HOWARD BERMAN (D-CA) and Rep. MARY BONO (R-CA) introduced the PERFORM ACT of 2006 late yesterday (5/11), which would reform the appropriate section of copyright law to assure satellite services "play by the same rules as Internet music services" both in rate setting and content protection standards. The bipartisan House bill comes on the heels of companion legislation introduced last month by Sens. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D-CA), LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC) and BILL FRISt (R-TN) and co-sponsored by Sen. JOSEPH BIDEN (D-DE).
In addition, Sens. TED STEVENS (R-AK) and DANIEL INOUYE (D-HI) earlier this month included within a larger telecommunications bill a provision focused on over-the-air digital radio, while Rep. MIKE FERGUSON (R-NJ) introduced legislation in MARCH that requires users of free government spectrum to protect content delivered through high-definition (HD) radio receivers through private market agreements.
Responding to these measure, RIAA Chairman and CEO MITCH BAINWOL issued the following statement:
"There is no mistaking the steady drumbeat from Congress on the issue of platform parity. From the Senate to the House, from both the Judiciary and the Commerce committees, on both sides of the aisle, congressional leaders are stressing the need for a level playing field for digital radio services -- one that ensures fair payment for artists and songwriters, fair competition among services, and protection for the integrity of the digital music marketplace. We thank Representatives BERMAN and BONO for their leadership on this issue of critical importance to artists, record companies, music publishers and songwriters.
"We are also especially grateful to Representative LAMAR SMITH for his continued leadership on issues involving new digital radio services. It was his initial hearing last fall on the evolution of satellite and HD radio that began this congressional dialogue -- a dialogue that continues to grow in volume and in participants by the day. Representative SMITH deserves considerable credit for the great progress that has been made on these issues."

