Close X

Blog and News

Can I Sue a Radio Station for Playing My Music without My Consent?

Posted by Eric D. Anderson | Sep 27, 2019

It's no secret that the Internet has had both a positive and a negative impact on the music industry over the past two decades. Indeed, while fans today love the accessibility of all their favorite albums, even the most popular musicians are struggling to get the compensation they deserve.

radio station

You may be surprised to learn that radio is still one of the primary avenues for introducing new music to the public. Even more surprising, though, is the fact that radio stations do not pay record labels or recording artists to play their music on the air.

As such, just because a radio station plays your song does not necessarily mean that you have grounds for a lawsuit. The best way to find out if you are entitled to compensation is to consult an entertainment lawyer.

Standard radio stations usually pay the publishers and songwriters – an arrangement that is not always fair. In April 2015, Congress sought to remedy this injustice with the Fair Play Fair Pay Act.

What Is the Fair Play Fair Pay Act?

Under current copyright law, people who create music have two options: a copyright for sound recordings, as mentioned on Legal Information Institute, and a copyright for musical compositions. Today, parties who own a copyright in sound recordings are not entitled to royalties for the non-digital performance of their music on the air. A copyright in sound recordings merely grants them the exclusive right to perform the work in public by means of a digital audio transmission.

In the Fair Play Fair Pay Act, Congress proposes to eliminate the word “digital” in that statute, which would mean standard radio stations would have to pay royalties for the music they play in the same way that digital radio stations currently do. Internet radio stations and satellite radio are two examples of digital radio stations that already abide by these rules.

The FPFPA also proposes establishing specific fees that different kinds of radio stations would have to pay. These fees would depend on a variety of factors including the quality and nature of the music's use on that particular station.

Why Does the FPFPA Have Critics?

Paying artists for their work seems fairly reasonable, but the FPFPA still has critics. According to The New Yorker, people are opposing the act on the grounds that musicians benefit when radio stations play their songs.

Radio play exposes their music to new listeners and provides promotional opportunities, which musicians can capitalize on later through album sales and concert tickets; however, people who are familiar with the challenges of producing good music all agree that musicians deserve compensation.

Where Do Musicians Go From Here?

Late last year, the Fair Play Fair Pay Act faced serious opposition in both the House and Senate. As technology continues to improve, though, and listeners have more options when it comes to choosing a distribution platform, radio station managers may realize if they don't play by the same rules as their digital counterparts, they may not be able to play at all.

If you are a musician and you don't believe you're getting adequate compensation for your efforts, a contract attorney from Eric D. Anderson Law, LTD can review any agreements you have made and negotiate on your behalf. Call 909-283-5494 today to speak with a Redlands entertainment lawyer.

About the Author

Eric D. Anderson

Eric Anderson: Civil Trial lawyer, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Sin Lawyer

Contact Us Today!

Areas We Serve

EDA LAW, Ltd. represents clients throughout the Inland Empire including Redlands, Beaumont, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, and Yucaipa. Outside of the Inland Empire, we represent California clients based in Long Beach, Los Angeles, Alameda County, Orange County, Sacramento County, San Diego County, San Joaquin County, Santa Clara County, and Shasta County. Nationally, we represent clients based in Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.