SOUNDBREAK SEALS
PACT WITH RIAA

Soundbreak.com, a West Hollywood-based dot-com offering online music played by "digital jocks" as well as an array of other multimedia and interactive programming, has inked a deal with the RIAA to pay a royalty on streamed music by artists on member labels.

While royalty rates have not yet been announced, Soundbreak considers the agreement a milestone, complementing its previous deals with BMI, ASCAP and SESAC and bringing the company into full compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

Arbitration has been ongoing to determine royalty amounts; the fee structure is expected to be set within 18 months. Fees will be retroactive to either the implementation of DMCA or establishment of the business paying the royalty. Companies that cut deals, however, are given a rate beforehand and are not subject to the results of the arbitration.

"We're looking forward to more long-term, mutual beneficial relationships with labels and their artists as a result of this breakthrough," CEO Lisa Crane told hitsdailydouble.com. "And we're looking forward to focusing on our business development more and on legal stuff less."

"We applaud Soundbreak.com for taking the initiative to pull out of the pack by working with labels and artists instead of against them," reads a prepared quote by RIAA VP of Business Affairs Steve Marks. "Soundbreak.com's agreement with the RIAA provides a ‘win-win' business model for all constituents of the music world—artists, labels and consumers alike. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to nail some Napster-using college kids' scalps to the door of my shed."

Soundbreak also announced today that it had joined the Digital Media Association (DiMA), a consortium of companies involved in the development of the Webcasting industry.