The High Court of Australia recently ruled that licence fees should be paid by commercial radio stations for recorded music streamed via internet simulcasts.
The High Court rejected the appeal made by Commercial Radio Australia. This comes as good news to both artists and record labels alike!
The Federal Court had previously ruled that internet simulcasts of radio programs fall outside the definition of a “broadcast” under the Copyright Act, which means they are not covered by existing licences granted to Australian commercial radio stations.
PPCA CEO Dan Rosen stated: “This puts an end to the legal wrangling over payment for recorded music streamed on the internet. It confirms radio stations must pay a licence fee for streamed music and we hope to move quickly to work out a fair and proper licensing deal.
“We look forward to working with radio to establish equitable arrangements. For too long radio has had a free kick – driving listening audience numbers and profits via the Internet while not paying artists fairly for use of their recordings.”