California Senate panel sends royalty bill to vote

Against record industry opposition, the California Senate Judiciary Committee OKed a new music royalty measure. The bill makes record companies responsible for accurately accounting for the royalties of musicians. Previously, it was just a contractual obligation of the record companies, and the artists would have to sue if they thought they were getting cheated. How many musicians (who aren’t getting their full share of royalties!) can afford to sue a multibillion $$$ corp?

‘While I applaud the recent attempts by some of the record companies to address issues raised by artists … under the current structure, there is no disincentive for record companies to properly account for and pay royalties,’ [Senator Kevin] Murray said. ‘Therefore, bad behavior by companies is rewarded. SB1034 simply makes it law that record companies must accurately report royalties to the artist.’