ALERT: IMPORTANT BMI RATE COURT DECISION. REFER TO BMI PAGE. [07/07/10]
ALERT: IMPORTANT ASCAP RATE COURT DECISION. REFER TO ASCAP PAGE. [05/19/10]
The Radio Music License Committee (“RMLC”) represents the interests of the commercial radio industry (more than 10,000 terrestrial radio stations) on music licensing matters. It is structured as a 501(c)(6) non-profit Tennessee corporation based in Nashville. Its Directors, who volunteer to serve without compensation, reflect a diverse group of station owners and management. The RMLC’s staff consists of an Executive Director, William Velez, and a Staff Accountant/Data Manager, Rebekah Smith.
The objective of the RMLC is to achieve fair and reasonable license fees with the music licensing organizations (particularly ASCAP and BMI) on behalf of radio stations. The RMLC is dedicated to negotiating licenses that reflect the realities of the current and changing state of the radio business. Some of the RMLC’s license negotiation goals include:
· implementation of licenses that fairly and accurately reflect station/industry economic performance with the least amount of administrative intrusion;
· per program and/or blanket “carve-out” license alternatives that offer the potential for further fee discounting based upon a station’s ability to make strategic music programming choices;
· negotiation of licenses that provide the broadest scope of rights possible with respect to new media applications (e.g., streaming, HD multicasting, mobile and other “through-to-the-listener” applications relevant to terrestrial radio broadcasting); and
· continuation of the existing, court-mandated RMLC funding mechanism.
In terms of overall industry outreach, the RMLC:
· provides information concerning industry license negotiations via staff participation at industry conferences such as the MFM/BCCA, NAB Radio Show, and various state association events;
· solicits appropriate feedback from all interested parties within the industry relative to music licensing issues;
· raises funds from the industry in the amounts required to conduct effective negotiations and/or rate court litigations;
· conducts research concerning the use and value of music to the radio industry;
· evaluates legislative action required to remedy music licensing inequities;
· identifies appropriate strategies to minimize the impact of other music licensing cartels; and
· responds to the needs of members who seek advice and counsel on various music licensing matters.
