The Joint Performance Licensing Program™ is an initiative by small Webcasters to provide affordable blanket performance licensing alternatives to individuals and organizations.

1. History

The JPL Program was launched in the spring of 2003 through a grassroots community effort by independent Webcasters. SWCast Network was established to fulfill the mission and objectives of the Program, thereby preserving the rights of music recording copyright holders while faithfully protecting the best interests of the small Webcaster community.

2. Background

Any time that you broadcast music programming over the Internet, you must secure a license in both the musical work and the sound-recording. In other words, every CD, record, and MP3 in your music library comprises two copyrights.

Although it is possible to negotiate license agreements with every individual copyright holder, it is extremely impractical. Compulsory licensing bypasses such obligations by providing a guaranteed, non-negotiable right to public performance based on rates and terms set by the U.S. Copyright Act.

In the United States, there are five established performing rights societies to administer compulsory licensing: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SoundExchange, and Royalty Logic.

However, the costs and complexity involved in obtaining clearance to use musical works and sound recordings through compulsory licensing is still infeasible for most hobbiest pursuits.

3. Scenarios

The legal requirements for a D.I.Y. Webcaster include filing a notice-of-use with the U.S. Copyright Office for $25, paying a minimum $2,600 per year in license fees to ASCAP, BMI, and SoundExchange, submitting detailed reports of listenership, playlists, revenue, and Website activity to ASCAP, BMI, and SoundExchange on a quarterly basis, then being charged additional fees based on the results of those reports.

Not surprisingly, the legal paperwork alone can deluge even a larger station. Unless you can afford to hire an attorney to navigate the intricacies of copyright law or you can commit full-time to doing it yourself, this is not a realistic option.

Thankfully, the Joint Performance Licensing Program's co-operative licensing strategy can

• Reduce the cost to legally broadcast to less than $50 per year, and
• Eliminate the burden of filing numerous separate forms and reports.

In effect, the total expenditures between a D.I.Y. Webcaster versus a co-op Webcaster average about 12 to 1 each year!

For example, your yearly fee under the JPL Program could be less than the minimum annual fee due to ASCAP alone.

Stations with few to moderate overall listeners, including those with limited air-time schedules, could benefit from substantial savings in both time and money. Why pay for listeners you don't even have?

The JPL Program rate table is divided into three tiers and is based solely on the listenership and revenue of a station.

You will need to formulate a "best-guess" estimate of which tier is appropriate for you. Aggregate tuning hours and gross revenue have the potential to raise your station into a higher tier. So, be sure to factor in both these criteria and consider your potential to grow as well.

You may use this simple calculator to automatically determine which membership tier you best qualify for.

	JPL Program Calculator 1. Estimate your average daily morning listenership simultaneous listeners 2. Estimate your average daily afternoon listenership simultaneous listeners 3. Estimate your average daily nighttime listenership simultaneous listeners 4. Estimate your maximum revenue from sales of products and services USD per week 5. Estimate your maximum revenue from audio and banner advertising USD per week 6. Estimate your maximum revenue from donations and fundraisers USD per week Gross Revenue:  $  / month Aggregate Tuning Hours:    / month

Once you have determined if you meet the eligibility limits for the JPL Program above, then be sure to review our rules and requirements and our frequently asked questions.

If you are located within the United Kingdom, be sure to visit www.jplprogram.co.uk for supplementary licensing details.

4. Signing Up

Membership in the Joint Performance Licensing Program is provided as part of SWCast Network's Personal Broadcast Services. When you're ready to sign up, proceed there.