NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton issued the following statement this evening in response to a letter sent by the U.S. Department of Commerce in support of performance tax legislation. Today’s action follows a similar letter sent by the Commerce Department in 2008 under the Bush Administration (attached). It also comes just days after the newest lawsuit against a record label for unpaid royalties. This week’s lawsuit is the latest in a long line of litigation against record labels for unpaid royalties to musicians, including the Beatles, Cher, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Pink Floyd and the estates of Count Basie and Benny Goodman.
In response to the Commerce letter, Wharton issued the following statement:
“NAB was aware this letter was coming, which is a position taken previously by the Bush Commerce Department. We’re disappointed the Commerce Department would embrace legislation that would kill jobs in the U.S. and send hundreds of millions of dollars to foreign record labels that have historically exploited artists whose careers were nurtured by American radio stations. The good news is that 260 members of the House of Representatives and 27 U.S. Senators are stand ing with hometown radio stations and against the RIAA.”HR4789views