House Lawmakers Introduce Companion PERFORM Act

California lawmakers Rep. Howard Berman, a Democrat, and Rep. Mary Bono, a Republican, late last week introduced companion legislation to a Senate measure that record labels believe if passed, would give parity to digital music licensing no matter what the source.
The PERFORM Act of 2006, would reform copyright law to assure satellite radio services play by the same rules as Internet music services – both in rate setting and content protection standards. We reported the Senate legislation was introduced last month by Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. and Bill Frist, R-Tenn. and co-sponsored by Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del.
RIAA Chairman/CEO Mitch Bainwol said “Congressional leaders are stressing the need for a level playing field for digital radio services – one that ensures fair payment for artists and songwriters, fair competition among services, and protection for the integrity of the digital music marketplace.”