Hotel, restaurant and broadcasters associations among the groups represented

A new coalition has formed to resist music industry attempts to collect higher royalties for songs played online or over airwaves.

The MIC Coalition wants policymakers "to ensure that upcoming decisions on copyright are grounded in rationality, affordability and predictability so that the music economy can continue to thrive and grow." MIC—pronounced "mike" as in "microphone"—stands for "music, innovation, consumers."

Founding members include Amazon and Pandora Radio, both of which provide online streaming music services. The coalition also includes many associations, such as the Consumer Electronics Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, National Restaurant Association and National Association of Broadcasters.

"Make no mistake: American music is the most successful in the world, aided in part by intellectual property laws that do not tilt in favor of record labels over the millions of daily listeners who consume music," NAB CEO Gordon Smith said.

As for why hotels and restaurants would be interested in music royalties, AH&LA and NRA issued a joint statement saying music is key for creating an "enhanced experience" in their members' establishments.

"That's why we're committed to supporting a music system that is transparent and efficient—for consumers, content creators and distributors like our members," the groups said.

The new coalition will likely butt heads with groups like the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, National Music Publishers Association and the Recording Industry Association of America, all of which are pushing for changes allowing artists to collect higher royalities.

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