Webcasters Settlement Act Set for Obama's Signature

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The Senate has approved a bill that gives Internet radio outlets more time to negotiate with the record labels on royalty payments. The Webcasters Settlement Act of 2009 would give both sides an additional 30 days from the date of enactment to come to terms.

The bill is an amendment to a October, 2008 law that says Congress must honor any royalty rate agreement reached between Internet radio and copyright holders. The bill removed the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) from the picture and gave each side until last February to come up with a royalty agreement. That didn't happen.

Digital Media Association Executive Director Jonathan Potter said, "On behalf of commercial webcasters, both large and small, I extend DMA's appreciation to Sen. Ron Wyden and Sen. Sam Brownback for quickly pushing this bill through the Senate and on to President Obama's desk for his signature. The Webcaster Settlement Act provides webcasters an opportunity to negotiate financial relief from the Copyright Royalty Board's 207 Internet radio royalty decision."

The House approved the bill last week, and it now goes to President Obama for his signature.