RIAA RESPONDS TO
SENATE TESTIMONY

"Napster did not fool anyone by saying they cannot get licenses when everyone knows they never asked," said hilary rosen',390,400);">hilary rosen',390,400);">Hilary Rosen, President and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America in a statement responding to comments made by michael robertson',390,400);">michael robertson',390,400);">Michael Robertson, CEO of MP3.com, and Hank Barry, Interim CEO of Napster, at a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday relating to the seeking of a compulsory license.

"Many e-commerce companies currently have licenses to legally offer music online," she said. "Those companies are not asking for government-mandated price controls. They are asking for the enforcement of the existing copyright law so that they do not have to compete against those who are facilitating piracy. It is only those who are not respecting the law who are seeking government-mandated price controls.

"In the past year, the recording industry has cut a record-setting number of deals with technology companies who will play different roles in the distribution of music online," she added. "This is a dynamic and vibrant marketplace that is operating effectively and efficiently for those who respect intellectual property rights."

Rosen continued, "We believe Congress agrees with us. Unfortunately, Napster and MP3.com do not speak for the entire online music community—and they should not be the spokespeople for the legitimate on-line music community."

Members of the online music and record industries testified Tuesday before a Senate Committee. The session was dubbed "The Future of Digital Music: Is There an Upside to Downloading?" The information-gathering expedition had no stated legislative agenda (hitsdailydouble.com 7/11).