The House Judiciary Staff itself sat in on and oversaw much of the actual negotiation. This negotiation went on everyday last week - 10 to 12 hour days of intense negotiation - 15 hours on Friday. This negotiation
continued into Saturday and had still not yielded a deal. At 830pm on Saturday both side were entrenched in their positions - and the negotiations broke off. At 1030pm on Saturday, the Chief of Staff of the House Judiciary contacted both sides and commanded them to the Hill on Sunday morning.
They were not happy that we had not reached a deal. Further, the in effect said 'if you cannot reach a deal, well reach one for you'. They proceeded to hear each sides position - then convened. They returned and produced a deal that both sides were unhappy with. Both sides provided further input, and the House Judiciary staff reconvened. The returned with a second deal - on that both sides could, somewhat reluctantly agree to. The rest of Sunday was spent putting the final touches on the deal and whipping it into legislative language by the House Judiciary staff while everyone else watched a Washington Redskins game.
We obtained a copy of the final Legislative language - and left. THERE IS NO MENTION of artist language (specifically the language pertaining to direct payments and recoupable expenses is ABSENT in our copy of the 'final' bill).
Apparently, this language was added AFTER we left the table. We had NO knowledge of it. We DO NOT support it.
It is my understanding that artists and artists groups are currently protesting this language. WE SUPPORT artists and artists groups in their protest of this language. We are *pissed* about it.
It is clear to us that the RIAA added this language at the 11th hour in an attempt to ensure the failure of HR5469. They couldn't possibly have thought that artists and artists groups would support this language. And they were sadly mistaken to think that struggling, desperate, small business owners would support it just to save their own asses with what is arguably our last chance to have legislative relief in this congress.
It is my further understanding that all parties are now at the table with the House Judiciary working to resolve this dispute.
Regardless of the outcome, webcasters and artists MUST unite in an effort to expose this as example of the RIAAs unfair and predatory practices. Artists and artists groups should remember that last week they were **used** to block the 6 month stay on grounds that the stay would delay payment. This week the RIAA itself seek to use HR5469 to delay or avoid payment to the altogether.
Article comments
1 - no spam
I find the requirement of webcasters to uniquely log all listeners disturbing. I assume they're also required to turn this over to someone or what's the point. The TV networks have lusted over this kind of demographics for decades.
Does this new law supersede the Internet child protection act, or whatever it was called? Which required parental concent before gathering such data?
2 - Eric Olsen
For our slashdotty friends - we have a post today dealing with the Webcaster Alliance suit against the RIAA in the context of all they (RIAA) are doing to make the world a better place.