Following the news that the RMLC was concerned Irving Azoff’s organization was contacting radio stations “making misstatements” about an interim license to play GMR’s recordings, GMR has sent a follow-up letter to stations, basically calling out the Radio Music Licensing Committee for being liars. And one high-level radio executive told Radio Ink Tuesday, “If what GMR says is true, then we are being poorly represented by the RMLC. Unfortunately, there’s enough detail here to make one wonder.”
GMR says the interim license sent to radio stations over the weekend was negotiated between both organizations and anything the RMLC is saying to the contrary is completely false. Here’s the entire letter GMR’s Randy Grimmett sent out to the stations.
“As you know, GMR sent you an interim license over the weekend. The interim license was the product of weeks of negotiations, proposals, and counter-proposals between GMR and RMLC. Despite this documented history, the RMLC issued yesterday a statement on its website claiming it did not negotiate the $2,500,000 monthly fee or your company’s allocation of that fee. Both statements are categorically false.
“Given the RMLC’s serious misstatements of the facts, I feel compelled to share with you a brief history of GMR’s negotiations with the RMLC regarding an interim license. In mid-2016, the RMLC and GMR had exchanged proposals regarding a long-term license deal. During those negotiations, the RMLC proposed a one-year interim license for $27,000,000, which is $2,250,000 per month. GMR made a counter-proposal for $30,000,000, which is $2,500,000 per month. The RMLC rejected that offer and, instead, without warning filed a lawsuit against GMR on the Friday before Thanksgiving with a request for an immediate injunction.
“Despite the lawsuit, GMR reiterated its willingness to extend an interim license, which the RMLC rejected again. Following additional discussions, the RMLC apprised GMR that it was prepared to negotiate an interim license agreement at the rate of $2,500,000 per month. In the course of our ensuing negotiations, the RMLC prepared and sent to GMR a detailed spreadsheet allocating the $2.5 million among each member of the RMLC. The interim license fees that we sent to each of you over the weekend were taken directly from the RLMC’s spreadsheet. In addition, the interim license itself was reviewed, revised, and approved by the RMLC and its counsel. All of this is documented. The RMLC’s contrary statements are inexcusable and counterproductive.
“Nevertheless, GMR remains committed to providing each of you access to our repertoire through the interim license we sent you this weekend and, ultimately, we hope through a long-term license agreement.
Please contact me directly at [email protected]
Best,
Randy Grimmett”
THE HISTORY OF THIS FIGHT
– RMLC: GMR Contacting Stations With Bad Information
– RMLC Withdraws Injunction Against GMR
– GMR And RMLC Strike Tentative Deal
– Azoff Fires Back At Radio: “It’s A Cartel”
– Radio Responds. Calls Azoff A Bully
– Radio Industry Files Anti-Trust Complaint Against GMR
