Songwriters Accuse Radio Stations of ‘Illegal Cartel’
Radio stations might be forced to pull dozens of top artists starting January 1st — or pay a $150,000 penalty per song, thanks to a contract spat now playing itself out in public.
The artists are represented by a new boutique licensing company, Global Music Rights, and the repertoire at stake includes songs written or performed by stars such as Pharrell Williams, Adele, Drake, John Lennon, Smokey Robinson, Steve Miller, Taylor Swift, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, U2, and more.
The group of over 70 songwriters accounts for around 7.5 percent of all songs on the radio.