Technology has transformed the way consumers engage with entertainment, allowing SiriusXM to instantly connect them to their favorite song, podcast or satellite radio program at the push of a button. This has made intellectual property issues central to the modern digital economy as companies need to be able to legally and affordably provide consumers with access to a vast catalog of content. That’s why SiriusXM supports policies that foster an intellectual property environment that encourages innovation, expands the market for music and other audio formats, and makes it easier for consumers and creators to connect.
Music Licensing – Streaming is the heart of the modern music system, which is why music licensing policy efforts should emphasize enhancing consumers’ ability to legally and affordably access the content they want in the format they want it. As a primary funder of The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), SiriusXM is focused on the organization being held accountable via tangible success metrics for achieving the goals set out in the Music Modernization Act.
Consent Decrees – The ASCAP/BMI consent decrees established by the Department of Justice remain relevant today in ensuring a competitive and pro-consumer music marketplace. Attempts to remove or unnecessarily modify the consent decrees would disrupt a multi-billion-dollar jobs engine, hurt artists and fans, and discourage competition in the music industry. SiriusXM supports the decision by DOJ to again reject attempts to remove these critical protections.
Copyright Reform – Any efforts to reform the copyright system should be considered carefully to ensure they are not overly broad and preserve precedents that have created the balance necessary to spur the creation and growth of digital music service models.