H-669                _______________________________________________

                                             HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL NO. 7

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives Lewis, van Dyke and Brooks

Read first time 2/1/85 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

TO THE HONORABLE RONALD REAGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

          We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

          WHEREAS, The Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. Sec. 106, et seq., provides that commercial establishments which transmit radio broadcasts through loudspeakers are violating copyright law.  Businesses throughout the country are being fined by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP); and

          WHEREAS, Businesses provide financial support for the radio broadcasting industry by paying the cost of advertising on public airwaves; and

          WHEREAS, Any further costs associated with paying fines imposed by ASCAP for copyright infringement are passed on to consumers through the increased prices of products; and

          WHEREAS, The transmission of radio broadcasts in commercial establishments creates a socially beneficial and pleasant atmosphere which should be allowed to continue without penalty.

          NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the President and  Congress recognize the necessity of allowing commercial establishments to transmit radio broadcasts through loudspeakers without violating copyright law, and take the necessary steps to pass legislation to accomplish this purpose.

          BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.