PERFORM Act (S. 256)

Many have expressed concern about the music industry’s attempt to regulate new technologies like satellite and Internet radio in order to earn greater royalties. This is a part of a wider topic of regulations for the telecommunications industry.  It also touches on the issue of intellectual property laws.

S. 256, The Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act of 2007, was introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein on January 11, 2007.  It was previously introduced in the 109th Congress and was assigned S. 2644 for that Congress. This bill, now S. 256, would replace the current system of differentiating processes of setting rates and terms of royalty payments for subscription transmissions to one rate and terms of royalty payment. The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

This bill is still being reviewed by the Judiciary Committee, and I look forward to receiving their recommendation and debating the measure on the Senate floor in the future.  I remain committed to supporting a fair market without needless regulations that would inhibit the growth of technology or the free flow of information.  If the bill reaches the Senate floor, I will give it serious consideration to ensure that this bill does not inhibit satellite and Internet technology.

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