SUPPORT

 

 

Allocation For Music Producers (AMP) Act

H.R. 881

Producers and engineers play an indispensable role in the creation of sound recordings, yet have never been mentioned in copyright law. The AMP Act codifies into law the producer’s right to collect their digital royalties and provides a consistent, permanent process for studio professionals to receive royalties for their contributions to the creation of music. Co-sponsor the AMP Act and support studio professionals’ rights to collect royalties. This bipartisan bill has no opposition and is non-controversial.

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Fair Play Fair Pay Act

H.R. 1836

Outdated laws have created an unlevel playing field for sound recordings. The Fair Play Fair Pay Act modernizes music licensing for sound recordings in a comprehensive way. This bill closes the radio loophole while protecting small broadcasters, applies the same fair market rate standard to all radio platforms, and ensures legacy artists are paid for pre-1972 recordings. Co-sponsor the Fair Play Fair Pay Act so that all radio services play by the same rules and artists and performers are compensated for their work.

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Real Reform For Songwriters and Composers

Songwriters with the two largest performing rights organizations (ASCAP and BMI) are subjected to decades-old consent decrees that suppress royalties below fair market value. Last year, the Department of Justice issued a harmful decision making the consent decrees even worse. And royalty rates for mechanical licensing are still determined using a below-market standard set in the law. Although no new legislation has been introduced in this Congress, true music licensing reform must include changes to ensure songwriters and composers can receive fair compensation.

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SUPPORT THE HITS ACT - H.R. 7886

Help Independent Tracks Succeed by harmonizing the tax treatment of music production with other already existing provisions. This small tax incentive will have a big impact to get indie artists back in the studio.

 

 

FIX UNEMPLOYMENT FOR GIG WORKERS H.R. 7691/S. 4442

The CARES Act provided unemployment to self-employed workers like music creators. But unintended consequences prevented “mixed earners” with both traditional and freelance income from getting their fair share. Correct this by passing the Mixed Earner Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Act. 

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EXTEND ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

The FPUC program, which adds $600 to the weekly unemployment benefit, has been a lifeline in these unprecedented times. Congress should extend this program.

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PROVIDE RELIEF FOR MINORITY-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES

Minority-owned businesses were overlooked by the PPP and other SBA programs. Black music is a cornerstone of the music industry and Congress must ensure that Black-owned business, including studios, venues and labels, can get the support they need. Congress must provide dedicated funding for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs).

 

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PASS THE RESTART ACT H.R. 7481/S. 3814

The RESTART Act would give a boost to small and medium sized businesses that are struggling to survive the pandemic. With music venues and other music businesses still shuttered (and no reopening in sight), the RESTART Act is essential to keeping the music playing after the pandemic.

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OPPOSE

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Local Radio Freedom Act

H.CON.RES.13

This misleading resolution puts Congress on the record against intellectual property rights. The so-called “Local Radio Freedom Act” isn’t about local radio; it’s about protecting big corporate radio conglomerates. And it’s not about freedom; it’s about radio broadcasters using music for free to maintain their billion-dollar businesses. It’s time to close the loophole that makes AM/FM radio the only industry in America that can use another’s intellectual property without permission or compensation.

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Radio Consumer Protection Act

H.R. 3685

Rather than “protecting consumers,” the bill asks consumers to pay radio’s expenses. Radio already uses the wireless spectrum for free, but instead of thanking the American people for use of the spectrum, they want the American taxpayer to foot the bill for their expenses associated with spectrum repack. Broadcasters shouldn’t receive a special handout from taxpayers while they still refuse to pay creators for their work.

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Transparency in Music Licensing and Ownership

H.R. 3350

Transparency and accurate data in licensing are critical to ensure that music creators are properly paid. But H.R. 3350 takes the wrong approach to solving this important issue. This bill would punish creators who fail to satisfy its vague requirements for an ownership database by taking away their legal protections – the ability to seek statutory damages for infringement – and by imposing new costs. Instead of mandating new burdens on creators, Congress should work with all stakeholders to facilitate a solution.

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