NAB and several radio groups, including Bonneville, Clear Channel, Cox, Emmis, Entercom and Susquehanna, have appealed the recent streaming copyright ruling that did not exempt broadcasters who stream from liability from performance royalties.
In a 64-page brief filed in the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, NAB and the groups call the recent decision that said broadcasters are on the hook for retroactive and future streaming fees “curious and artificial – but very consequential – digital hair-splitting.”
They argue that because streaming is a “non-subscription broadcast transmission” according to the Copyright Act, it is exempt from performance royalties.
NAB, Groups Appeal Streaming Fees
NAB, Groups Appeal Streaming Fees