Bandier statement re PROs

PROS & CONS: Sony/ATV chieftain Marty Bandier, who has been an outspoken critic of performance rights orgs in recent years, has issued a statement following the announcement by the Department of Justice that it will launch a review of the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees. “In the current digital environment, it is crucial that ASCAP and BMI’s outdated consent decrees are amended to reflect the realities of the current marketplace and emerging business models,” the statement reads. “We welcome the Department of Justice’s review, and we are optimistic the system will be reformed to allow our writers and composers to receive fair market value for their music.” Last year, Bandier led a revolt in which the pubcos pulled the digital rights to their songs from BMI and ASCAP in an effort to directly negotiate a higher royalty rate with digital services. A court-mandated consent decree bars the PROs from negotiating rates on behalf of the publishers. (6/4a)