Copyright could be one of radio’s biggest issues of 2017. In the fight between Irving Azoff’s GMR and the radio industry, two days ago, the RMLC withdrew its motion for a preliminary injunction against GMR. The injunction was withdrawn due the temporary agreement that was announced between the two organizations in late December.
The 9-month interim license between the two organizations provides stations that choose to accept it the ability to perform GMR compositions during the term of the interim license. Stations have until the end of this month to decide if they want the deal the RMLC has worked out for them. After that GMR can take legal action against stations playing GMR compositions without having this interim license.
The Preliminary Injunction – which was ordered by the court – would have forced GMR to offer all radio stations a blanket license to GMR’s library “at a reasonable rate that is proportional to the annual rates each station pays to ASCAP or BMI on a weighted share basis,” until the court case was resolved. The injunction also prevented GMR from taking any legal action against stations.
RMLC Executive Director Bill Velez told Radio Ink on Thursday that the aim of the injunction motion was to mitigate the risk of infringement by stations effective 1/1/17. “With an interim fee arrangement now in place, it offers stations the option of infringement insurance at least through 9/30/17.”
One industry observer tells Radio Ink this fight the industry has with GMR is a huge issue. “The most important issue to be fought is that with GMR on the scene radio stations are not playing any more or different music, GMR is asking for additional money. That is inequitable. Any money paid to GMR should dollar for dollar be deducted from amounts owed to BMI, SESAC and ASCAP.”
As you know BMI recently filed a lawsuit against the RMLC over rates for the next five years.
