Fair Pay for Radio Play: Why commercial radio are underpaying Australian musicians | Music News

A 55-year-old “cap” on the copyright fees the creative industry and rights holders are entitled to from sound recordings played on commercial radio is finally back on the political agenda. David Pocock, the former Wallaby star-turned independent senator, has tackled the thorny issue, by way of the Fair Pay for Radio Play Bill, unveiled in Canberra. Pocock’s Bill is an attempt to rectify what the recording industry has termed an “anomaly,” initially legislated as a “temporary” measure in the 1968 Copyright Act A cadre of Australia’s leading artist managers and industry professionals support Senator Pocock’s Bill, including John Watson, Jaddan Comerford, Cath Haridy, Greg Carey and more. Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA), which represents the interests of the commercial radio sector, has other thoughts. They have reacted to the news stating that the removal of the long-standing 1% cap on copyright fees will put the sustainability of local regional radio stations at risk and may undermine attempts to increase financial support for Australian music artists.