RMLC

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Our Mission

The Radio Music License Committee (“RMLC”) represents the interests of the commercial radio industry on music licensing matters. It is structured as a 501(c)(6) non-profit Tennessee corporation based in Nashville. Its Directors, who volunteer to serve without compensation, reflect a diverse group of station owners and management. The RMLC’s staff consists of an Executive Director, William Velez, and an Accountant and Data Manager, Rebekah Freundt.

The objective of the RMLC is to achieve fair and reasonable license fees with the music licensing organizations (such as ASCAP, BMI and SESAC) on behalf of radio stations. The RMLC is dedicated to negotiating licenses that reflect the realities of the current and changing state of the radio business. Some of the RMLC’s license negotiation goals include:

  • implementation of licenses that fairly and accurately reflect industry economic performance, with the least amount of administrative intrusion;
  • program period and/or blanket license “carve-out” alternatives that offer the potential for further fee discounting based upon a station’s ability to make strategic music programming choices and/or license music directly from copyright owners;
  • negotiation of licenses that provide the broadest scope of rights possible with respect to new media applications (e.g., streaming, HD multicasting, mobile and other “through-to-the-listener” applications); and
  •  continuation of the mandated RMLC funding mechanism.

In terms of overall industry outreach, the RMLC:

  • provides information concerning industry license negotiations via staff participation at industry conferences such as the MFM/BCCA, NAB venues, and various state broadcaster association events;
  • solicits appropriate feedback from all interested parties within the industry relative to music licensing issues;
  • raises funds from the industry in the amounts required to conduct effective negotiations and/or court litigations;
  • conducts research concerning the use and value of music to the radio industry;
  • evaluates legislative action required to remedy music licensing inequities;
  • identifies appropriate strategies to address anticompetitive conduct by PROs that could impact members; and
  • responds to the needs of members who seek advice and counsel on various music licensing matters.

 

“What is the RMLC, and Why Should a Radio Station Pay Their (RMLC) Bill?”