Jim Sensenbrenner: “On October 7, 2002, the House passed H.R. 5469, the ``Small Webcaster Amendments Act of 2002,'' under suspension of the…”

“On October 7, 2002, the House passed H.R. 5469, the ``Small Webcaster Amendments Act of 2002,'' under suspension of the Rules. Earlier this evening, the Senate passed a substitute version of the bill, which I urge the House to adopt by unanimous consent. By way of background, H.R. 5469 as originally drafted suspended the implementation of the Librarian of Congress's decision regarding royalty rates that webcasters must pay to copyright owners for the performance of copyrighted works for six months beginning on October 20. At the time, the purpose of this delay was to ensure that all parties would receive the judicial process to which they are entitled under the law before the rate took effect. H.R. 5469 placed a burr under the saddle of both the copyright holders and the small webcasters to conclude negotiations on these matters that began last summer. The parties negotiated around the clock and arrived at a deal that set new rates and payment terms, obviating the need for further legal or administrative intervention.”