This concurrent resolution declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on any business for the public performance of sound recordings broadcast on a local radio station.
The resolution emphasizes that introducing a performance fee could impose severe economic hardships on numerous local radio stations and associated small businesses that rely on broadcasting music. Such fees would disrupt the existing fruitful relationship between the radio and recording sectors, where stations provide a platform for artists and foster local culture without additional costs, thus impacting the overall economy and community services they provide.
SCR8 is a concurrent resolution supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act, which seeks to prevent the imposition of new performance fees or royalties on local radio stations for broadcasting sound recordings. Historically, Congress has resisted calls from the recording industry for such fees, arguing that local radio stations significantly contribute to the promotion of music and artists through free airtime and public service programming. This mutual benefit is identified as crucial for both the broadcasting and recording industries.
Proponents of SCR8 argue that a performance fee is unjustified given the current success of the music and broadcasting industries without such charges. They contend that the imposition of fees could deter local radio stations from operating effectively, risking the diversity of music promotion and local support during emergencies. Meanwhile, any opposition would typically stem from within the recording industry, which might view fees as necessary for supporting artists but which the bill's supporters believe could harm the industry as a whole.
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