Washington - The heads of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on Wednesday introduced the Performance Rights Act, bipartisan legislation that would remove traditional radio's exemption from paying performers in addition to songwriters, which is not the case for satellite or Internet radio, or for many foreign broadcasters. "For the past 70 years Congress has ignored the constitutional mandate that we protect copyrights by completely exempting broadcasters from paying performers, while the vast majority of countries have no such exemption. Our ignorance of intellectual property rights on this issue is a worldwide embarrassment and it must end now," said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), a co-sponsor of the House bill.

Washington - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on Tuesday to authorize the opening of unused portions of the broadcast spectrum to deliver wireless broadband Internet access. "Opening the white spaces will allow for the creation of a WiFi on steroids. It has the potential to improve wireless broadband connectivity and inspire an ever-widening array of new Internet based products and services for consumers," said FCC chairman Kevin Martin.

Washington - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued its report on its test of "white space" devices -- which could be used to deliver high-speed Internet access using portions of the broadcast spectrum -- which concludes that device prototypes have provided 'proof of concept,' helping spur FCC chairman Kevin Martin to publicly support the technology. It's now expected that the FCC will approve white space technology in some form when it votes on the issue on Nov. 4.

Washington - The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Webcaster Settlement Act on Saturday, which would allow webcasters and copyright holders to continue to negotiate royalty payments for streaming music online after Congress suspends its routine business after this week for the elections. A Senate vote on the measure is expected today or yet this week.

Washington - The U.S. House Subcommittee on the Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property yesterday approved the Performance Rights Act, which would for the first time compel AM and FM radio stations to pay record labels and musicians royalties to play their songs, on top of the current payments to songwriters and music publishers. "A loophole in the law lets AM and FM music radio stations earn $16 billion a year in advertising revenue without compensation the artists and musicians who bring music to life and listeners' ears to the radio dial. It's not right, it's not fair and we are going to make sure it is changed," said Doyle Bartlett, executive director of the MusicFIRST Coalition, a record label lobbying group.

Washington - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and members of Congress are proposing an increase in the number of TV ads notifying consumers of the impending transition to digital TV broadcasting in 2009, when an estimated 15.5 million U.S. households relying on analog broadcasts will lose their signals, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. The FCC may approve a plan that would require broadcasters to air at least four 30-second public service announcements about the transition each day, increasing to as many as 12 per day as the Feb. 17, 2009 nears.

Washington - The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), a trade group that represents the major networks and other TV broadcasters, on Monday announced a $697 million public service campaign that will educate consumers on the pending analog switch-off and transition to digital broadcasting, the Associated Press reported.

Washington - The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), whose members include major broadcast and cable TV networks, have launched lobbying efforts against proposals to use vacant TV channels to deliver high-speed Internet access, the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday.

New York - Some involved in the prickly royalty negotiations between music webcasters and the major record labels believe that issues could be resolved as early as the end of September, the Associated Press reported.

Washington - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced an agenda for the Digital Television Consumer Education Workshop it plans to hold on Sept. 26 in Washington, which will discuss how to educate consumers about the pending transition from analog to digital television. Represented at the hearing will be senior citizens, low-income consumers, non-English speakers, people with disabilities, tribes and public interest groups for those in rural areas. Also in attendance will be the Consumer Electronics Association, National Cable Television Association, National Association of Broadcasters. The FCC plans to offer a live audio webcast of the hearing.

Washington - The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) this week announced its support for the Internet Radio Equality Act, a bipartisan House bill that would vacate the recent music webcasting royalty rate hike.