The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the controversial Performance Rights Act (S. 379), following in the footsteps of the House Judiciary Committee, which has already approved the similar H.R. 848 bill.

The musicFIRST Coalition, which has heavily campaigned for the performance royalty, immediately issued a statement from Executive Director Jennifer Bendall. She says, "Today we are one step closer to righting a wrong that has existed since the early days of radio; one step closer to winning the fight for fundamental justice that has been waged by countless artists and musicians over the last 80 years."

"We are grateful for the leadership of Chairman Leahy, Senators Feinstein and Hatch and other members of the committee. We look forward to working with them and Chairman Conyers, Representatives Issa and Berman and other members who understand the importance of creating a fair performance right on radio for America’s artists and musicians."

"We are making unprecedented progress. Two congressional committees have now approved a bill to create a fair performance right on radio. We ask broadcasters and the new leadership at the NAB to join with us. Together we can create a performance right on radio that is fair to artists, musicians and rights holders, fair to other radio platforms that pay a performance royalty, and fair to AM and FM music radio."

She concludes, "Radio and music have a bright future together if the artists, musicians and rights holders who bring music to life and listeners’ ears to the radio dial are compensated fairly for their work."

Earlier today, the NAB released the results of a study showing that the majority of Americans polled oppose the potential Performance Rights Act.

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