Washington - Jun 26, 2008 - The House Judiciary Committee subcommittee on Courts, Internet and Intellectual Property passed a bill that would require radio stations to pay royalties to artists for playing their music. The full Judiciary Committee takes the next step on the bill.

The National Association of Broadcasters opposes the legislation and notes that it has the majority support from the full house to block the bill. The Music First Coalition, which supports the bill called the subcommittee's action a major victory.

The bill currently caps performance royalties at $5,000 per year for radio stations with less than $1.25 million in annual revenue. Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), the chairman of the subcommittee, wants lawmakers to consider a sliding scale payment for smaller radio stations.