SiriusXM + Pandora joined the National Independent Venue Association and US music industry leaders in a letter urging Congress to support the RESTART Act, which would tailor PPP to work for shuttered businesses that have no revenue, high overhead and no clear timeline for reopening in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Independent music venues…
How a new law aimed at streaming music brought the industry and Congress together
CBS News
Common Ground
In Washington, the Music Modernization Act aims to help by streamlining music licensing and closing a loophole in copyright law so it better fits the digital era. President Trump signed the landmark bill in October 2018, after it passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate.
Moving Forward with the Copyright Office
Library of Congress
Karyn A. Temple
It is an honor and pleasure to reintroduce myself to you as the United States Register of Copyrights. As the Supreme Court has said, copyright is intended to be the “engine of free expression.” The copyright system provides a critical framework to support creativity, culture, innovation and, yes, “free expression,” to the benefit of the…
Congress Announces Recording Arts and Sciences Caucus Members
Billboard
Colin Stutz
Members for the new Congress’ Recording Arts and Sciences Caucus were announced on Thursday (March 14), including chairs House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). The bi-partisan caucus was established in 2005 and works with members of the music industry to understand sector economic and cultural impact on legislation.
Graham Warns DOJ Not To ‘Disrupt’ Music Market With ASCAP-BMI Changes
Inside Radio
Inside Radio
The new chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is sending a clear signal to the Dept. of Justice not to throw the music marketplace into chaos with proposed changes to the consent decrees governing ASCAP and BMI. Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim, who heads the Antitrust Division, has backed a “smooth transition” toward a “market-based”…
Music Modernization Act Brings Music Licensing Scheme into the Modern Age
JD Supra
Morgan Lewis
The Hatch-Goodlatte Music Modernization Act was signed into law on October 11, 2018. The act has been termed a music industry peace treaty of sorts, as it is designed to address years of issues and compromise between music streaming technology companies, such as Spotify, and artists and record labels.
Year in Music 2018: Making the Music Modernization Act Happen
Nashville Scene
Marissa Ross
In today’s fraught political environment, it’s hard to imagine a consensus on anything — let alone on an arts-related bill that ended up being signed into law by none other than consumer-of-all-joy Donald Trump. But that’s what happened with the federal Music Modernization Act.
Music Industry Reform Shows Congress Can Still Do Its Job
Real Clear Policy
Christian Thrailkill
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…
The Consent Decrees are at it Again!
R Street
Sasha Moss
For the first time in nearly three years, music licensing has become a hot topic in Washington, D.C. Last time I wrote extensively on the subject was in “Transparency in Music Licensing and the Statutory Remedy Problem,” a paper responding to the controversy surrounding two District Court consent decrees involving Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) and the American…
Songwriter Groups Reach Compromise With SESAC, Harry Fox Over Music Modernization Act
Billboard
Ed Christman
The vicious infighting between SESAC/Harry Fox Agency owner Blackstone on one side and two songwriter organizations on the other has ended with a compromise that sees the performance rights organization now giving unconditional support for the Music Modernization Act.