John Conyers

Lawmakers Introduce Webcaster Settlement Act of 2009

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 12, 2009 - 11:31am.
Washington - Lawmakers on Tuesday introduced the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2009, which would provide commercial webcasters with an additional opportunity to obtain financial relief from the Copyright Royalty Board's (CRB) 2007 Internet radio royalty decision. Webcasters are seeking to implement royalty rates for Internet music broadcasting that are similar to the rates set for cable and satellite radio broadcasters.

House, Senate Leaders Introduce Performance Rights Act

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 4, 2009 - 11:43am.

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.

House Bill Would Create IP Czar, Bolster Copyright Enforcement

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 6, 2007 - 8:53am.

Washington - A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Wednesday introduced a new bill that would increase civil penalties for copyright infringement, bolster criminal enforcement, and create a new federal agency tasked with copyright protection, CNET News.com reported.

Lawmakers Seek Alteration of U.S. Ban on 'Net Gambling

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2007 - 9:47am.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.)

Washington - In a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative sent on Monday, six lawmakers -- including House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers -- said the U.S. should consider altering its ban on Internet gambling instead of paying compensation to countries who say the U.S. is violating trade agreements, Reuters reported.