Internet Association Pushes For Music Distribution Models

Highlights Role Of Internet As Platform For Innovation And Growth

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Internet Association submitted a letter to United States Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition, and Consumer Rights, on the importance of the Internet as a music distribution platform and driver of economic growth.

In the letter, the Internet Association highlights the evolution of Internet radio and the subsequent spur of streaming services such as those offered by Internet Association members Amazon, Google, Pandora, and Yahoo. Outside of the music space, Internet companies want to ensure that digital content delivery via the Internet is afforded fair and equal treatment by all government agencies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“It is no secret that the Internet has, since its inception, served to lower search and transaction costs for consumers across many markets, saving consumers time and money on a daily basis. We support efforts to bring similar efficiencies to the music licensing process. The Internet Association therefore calls for a public, searchable database containing a complete and comprehensive list of works in both the PROs’ and record labels’ repertoires,” said Abigail Slater, Internet Association Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Policy.

Additionally, the Internet Association outlined its support for limitations in the DOJ consent decrees controlling how performance rights organizations – ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) – license music publishing rights.

The full report can be viewed here.