WASHINGTON D.C. (CelebrityAccess) — On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Music Modernization Act, a broad piece of legislation that represents the most sweeping change to the recorded music landscape in decades.
In a rare display of bipartisan unity, House of Reps voted unanimously for the bill, paving the way for passage by the Senate, which is expected to occur in the upcoming weeks, meaning that the measure will land on the President’s desk with near veto-proof support.
The legislation, which incorporated several earlier related bills, including the AMP Act, the CLASSICS Act, and the Fair Play Fair Pay Act, received widespread support from a broad spectrum of music industry stakeholders. For your edification and amusement, we’ve assembled a list of their reactions to the bill’s passage.
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA): “As this historic legislation begins to advance through Congress, we move one step closer to the finish line. This bill is the result of thoughtful, extensive examination of the patchwork of antiquated music licensing laws that poorly serve creators. This includes the unintended and unfair quirk in the law that denies legacy artists the federal right to be compensated by digital radio services.”
Internet Association: “Internet Association commends you for your dedication to improving the music licensing system through the Music Modernization Act. Your leadership has led to a bill that has broad bipartisan support and has achieved consensus among industry and city society stakeholders. We support passage by the House of the Music Modernization Act.”
Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI): “As Congress prepares to consider the Music Modernization Act, the bill continues to gain unprecedented support from songwriters across the country.”
Songwriters of North America (SONA): “It’s no secret that the advent of digital technology has caused massive upheaval in the music business. Fortunately, there is legislation currently moving through Congress that seeks to address the systemic problems facing songwriters whether independent or signed to publishers. It’s part of the Music Modernization Act and we at Songwriters of North America believe that if it passes, it will significantly improve our ability to collect our fair share of revenue in the digital marketplace going forward.”
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB): “NAB commends [the] introduction of the Music Modernization Act, which represents a level of compromise and consensus on music licensing issues that has eluded lawmakers for decades. The bill addresses some of the core issues facing songwriters, recording artists, producers, music publishers, record labels, and streaming services to benefit of the entire music ecosystem.”
Copyright Alliance: “The Music Modernization Act of 2018 joins together the Music Modernization Act of 2017, the CLASSICS Act, and the AMP Act, and will result in the most significant improvement of music copyright law in more than a generation. It will help make it easier for creators across the music industry to earn a more equitable living through their creativity.”
Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI): “The U.S. songwriting community has embraced this legislation. Never before have so many music creators rallied to support a bill.”
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publisher (ASCAP): “After years of work to educate Congress about how outdated laws are harming America’s songwriters, it is great to see real legislative progress being made with the support of a broad community of music creators and stakeholders.”
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), American Commitment, The American Conservative Union, American Legislative Exchange Council, Center for Individual Freedom, Citizens Against Government Waste, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy, Digital Liberty, Freedom Works, Frontiers of Freedom, Property Rights Alliance, Less Government, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, Institute for Policy Innovation, National Taxpayers Union, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity: “The ability to create and disseminate musical works has never been easier than it is now through digital formats. Creators should be able to use new technologies to spread their work without worrying about which medium provides the best compensation. These bills update the compensation process in order to provide even more incentive and appreciation for the creative process, and finally acknowledge, in law, the changes that artists and their fans have already implemented.”
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center: “The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports H.R. 5447, the Music Modernization Act, which is important legislation to update and modernize music licensing to ensure that creators receive royalties to which they are due, and which would streamline processes and procedures to benefit the entire industry.
“Taken together, these bills would help ensure fair compensation to artists and other creators, and increase certainty and efficiencies across the entire industry. We look forward to working with the entire Congress on these issues throughout the legislative process.”
Digital Media Association (DiMA): “On behalf of the nation’s leading digital music providers, the Digital Media Association writes to express its support for the prompt enactment of H.R. 5447, the Music Modernization Act, by the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Music licensing, as you know, is one of the most challenging and complex areas of federal copyright law. The lack of an authoritative and accurate database of music copyright ownership along with rules designed for an analog world have slowed the growth and development of interactive digital music services.
