Letter to Jerry Nadler, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Jim Jordan, Ranking Member - Allowing Artists and Stakeholders Resolve Royalty Issues

Letter

Dear Chairman Nadler and Ranking Member Jordan,

Thank you for your leadership in convening recent discussions between the recording industry and local broadcasters with the goal of developing a consensus solution to the complex issue of broadcast radio performance rights. The Committee's recent hearing on the subject reaffirmed my view that on complex copyright matters, finding consensus solutions from stakeholders is the best way to resolve these matters in a way that serves the legitimate interests of all parties.

Like those issues addressed in the Music Modernization Act of 2018, the broadcast royalty question similarly calls for stakeholder consensus to balance the varied & historic interests. Recording artists' needs must be addressed in a manner that supports and encourages their rights in the creation and promotion of their works. Free broadcast radio must also remain a robust and resilient platform for the benefit of communities across the country. Any solution must balance these needs.

I believe achieving this balance is only attainable through hard work and by taking the time to get it right. We encourage you to make clear that the Committee encourages parties to work proactively and expeditiously to bring a solution. We again commend you for this effort and urge that the Committee give these discussions a reasonable opportunity to succeed, prior to advancing legislation.

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