Music Industry Reform Shows Congress Can Still Do Its Job

On October 11, songwriters across America scored a huge win as President Trump signed the Music Modernization Act into law. This bill passed the House and Senate unanimously, underscoring the severe need for this law to correct imbalances afflicting the music industry in the streaming age. The MMA will provide individual songwriters protection from the predatory practices and crony capitalism that have created a large imbalance in pay rates. The most powerful tool to fight against abusive practices by groups like ASCAP and BMI is congressional oversight over what are known as “consent decrees.”