New bloc to fight for airplay pay

June 14, 2007 Some of the music industry's most recognizable names are signing up for what likely will be a bruising legislative battle as they attempt to win a change in the law that would force broadcasters to pay them for airplay. Terrestrial broadcasters traditionally have paid songwriter royalties to ASCAP, BMI and SESAC but have been exempt from performance royalties similar to those levied on digital broadcasts in recent years. Most people in the music industry think that allowing broadcasters to escape paying a performance royalty is unfair.

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