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Pandora is disputing claims made this week by Pink Floyd regarding the company’s efforts to reduce artist royalties from internet radio.

USA Today published an op-ed piece written by the iconic band that suggested Pandora was trying to convince the US Congress to lower artist royalties by 85% while simultaneously asking artists for their support…read more about it here.

“We have enormous respect for the members of Pink Floyd, and their amazing artistic contributions,” began a statement from Pandora published by Business Insider. “We also respect the genuineness of their opinion.”

“Unfortunately, they have been given badly misleading information – the result of a well-orchestrated campaign by the RIAA and their lobbying arm to mislead and agitate artists.

“A glaring example is the assertion that Pandora supports an ‘85% artist pay cut.’ That is simply not true.

“We never, nor would we ever, support such a thing. In fact, Pandora has suggested solutions that would guarantee no reduction in artist payouts while also nurturing the growth of internet radio -- a medium that is crucial to thousands of independent musicians who don’t enjoy major label support or FM radio exposure.

“This much is true: Pandora is by far the highest paying form of radio in the world and proudly pays both songwriters and performers.

“For perspective, to reach the exact same audience, Pandora currently pays over 4.5 times more in total royalties than broadcast radio for the same song. In fact, at only 7% of U.S. radio listening, Pandora pays more in performance royalties than any other form of radio.”

Stay tuned.