Music Industry Groups Move To Recoup Net Royalties

The powerful Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) today said it is launching "SoundExchange," a system that the
group says will help recoup royalties from Internet broadcasters and
distribute them to recording artists.

Representing more than 2,000 record labels and 270 recording companies,
SoundExchange will "be collecting and distributing royalties for those
eligible for statutory licenses. They include cable and satellite
subscription
music services and non-interactive 'Webcasters,'" the RIAA wrote in a
release today.

A SoundExchange governance committee made up of music label heads
and recording industry leaders will be charged with determining how
royalties will be collected and distributed.

That body will also be charged with managing dispute resolution,
according to the release.