ASCAP. BMI. Justice Departement

In Unprecedented Move, ASCAP-BMI in Duet vs. DOJ.

ASCAP and BMI have become unlikely bedfellows in an effort to unhinge the Department of Justice’s recent decision that the 75-year-old consent decrees governing the performance rights organizations (PRO) should remain untouched. As Inside Radio has reported, a two-year DOJ review had the prospect of shaking the foundation of radio’s biggest royalty arrangements with the music industry.

But on Monday, top ASCAP and BMI execs held a private meeting for Nashville’s songwriting and publishing community in what newspaper The Tennessean deems “a historic show of solidarity by the two competitors.” ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews and BMI CEO Michael O’Neill presented a plan of action in what will likely be “a protracted battle with the DOJ.”

Source: In Unprecedented Move, ASCAP-BMI in Duet vs. DOJ. | Story | insideradio.com

Broadcasters Back DOJ Plan To Leave ASCAP, BMI Consent Decrees Unchanged

The Radio Music Licensing Committee  (RMLC) commented today (7/22), writing, “The Department of Justice, after lengthy and thorough review, decides that ASCAP and BMI consent decrees should not be altered, as they continue to serve as a vital check against ASCAP’s and BMI’s anticompetitive market power.”

While the DOJ decision isn’t official — yet — THE RMLC noted, “after years of investigation into possible additional modifications to the decrees, the Division concluded that the decrees are not outdated, because the threat posed by ASCAP’s and BMI’s aggregated market power is as real today as it ever was. The Division agreed with licensees that ASCAP and BMI continue to wield sufficient market power requiring the continued application of the consent decrees and oversight of the Department of Justice.”

Source: Broadcasters Support Anticipated Government Conclusions In Antitrust Review Of ASCAP …

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