Recording industry reverses course, opposes FM radio in mobile phones

The Recording Industry Association of America, the Recording Academy, CTIA-The Wireless Association and the Consumer Electronics Association jointly voiced their support for Rep. Darrell Issa's (R-CA) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA)'s resolution asking Congress to "oppose any mandate for the inclusion of terrestrial broadcast radio tuners in the manufacture or sale of mobile devices, which would stifle innovation, competition and consumer choice."

H. Con. Res. 42--dubbed the "Creativity and Innovation Resolution"--seeks to halt a proposed compromise between content providers and broadcasters that would require radio stations to pay performers royalties when their works are aired. In exchange, lawmakers would mandate the inclusion of FM radio chips into all wireless phones manufactured and sold in the U.S.

The RIAA and the National Association of Broadcasters together proposed the FM radio mandate last summer, but the RIAA has now changed its position: "Every platform in the industrialized world respects property rights but one--terrestrial radio in the U.S," RIAA chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol said in a statement. "So the idea of the government rigging the playing field to expand the scope of the existing taking makes zero sense."

The RIAA and its partner associations stated they will continue to solicit support for H. Con. Res. 42, adding that over 150 musicians asked Congress to support the resolution last week as part of the annual "Grammys on the Hill" advocacy event.

For more:
- read this Ars Technica article

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