COURT NIXES NAB WEBCASTING COMPLAINT

A U.S. district court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the National Association of Broadcasters seeking to overturn a Copyright Office ruling that radio broadcasters must pay royalties when they webcast their over-the-air broadcasts. In other words, when it comes to streaming audio, fools got to pay to play.

The court dismissed NAB’s action with prejudice, meaning the broadcaster’s association was sent packing with its tail between its legs. "It strains credulity to suggest that Congress intended to exempt AM/FM streaming, which is global in nature, whil simultaneously limiting retransmissions to specific FCC-defined geographic areas," the ruling reads. "Such an argument is not convincing."

Reveling in the knowledge that yet another court decision has been rendered in favor of the major labels and their mighty corporate overlords, RIAA President/CEO Hilary Rosen had this to say: "We are pleased that the court upheld the rights of artists and record companies. We now look forward to working with the broadcasters for a smooth transition into this marketplace."

Isn’t a major-label association talking about upholding "the rights of artists" kind of like when Wesley Snipes (as Nino Brown) uses that little girl as a human shield in "New Jack City"? Hey, just asking.

It is unknown at this time whether NAB will appeal the ruling.