TV and radio artists urged large Webcasting and broadcasting comp...

negotiated by small Webcasters and record labels, “will allow small Webcasters to grow their businesses while still compensating artists -- most of whom are themselves small businesses sorely in need of this new income stream -- for the use of their creative works,” group of artists’ organizations said. However, it said, passage of HR-5469 had been blocked in Senate, apparently at behest of big broadcasters and Webcasters. Letter writers included AFTRA, American Federation of Musicians, Artists Empowerment Coalition, Future of Music Coalition, Music Managers Forum, National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and Recordings Artists Coalition. Webcasters reportedly are split over bill, with some small outfits worried about paying even discounted rates HR-5469 provides for, and larger businesses afraid that any tinkering with compromise could mean higher rates for them. Digital Media Assn. (DiMA), which represents Webcasters, didn’t take position on legislation, Exec. Dir. Jonathan Potter said. It’s of interest to DiMA, however, he said, and association hopes something can be done to accommodate small Webcasters. Sen. Helms (R-N.C.), whose hold on bill prevented Senate from considering it before leaving town for elections, and other legislators involved with HR-5469 all have same goals in mind, Potter said, and he hopes they work something out. NAB “did not ask for a hold to be put on this bill,” spokesman said. NAB is riled over Copyright Office’s decision to make broadcasters pay performance royalties for copyrighted works streamed simultaneously online, saying office “grossly misinterpreted” statute exempting broadcasters from such fees, spokesman said. But NAB took its complaint to court, where oral argument is set to be heard first week in Dec. in U.S. Dist. Court, Philadelphia, he said. But broadcast industry source said loss for NAB could set precedent for future legislation that could affect broadcasters.