Below is a comment from RIAA President Mitch Glazier on the final passage of the bill:

“With this final House vote, another chapter in the journey of this critical legislation comes to a close.  As the Music Modernization Act goes to the President’s desk for signature, we have many Members to thank for their work to make this final House vote possible to improve the lives of countless artists, songwriters and producers. On behalf of a grateful music community, we extend our appreciation to Chairman Bob Goodlatte, Ranking Member Jerry Nadler, and Representatives Doug Collins, Darrell Issa, Marsha Blackburn, Joe Crowley, Ted Deutch, Hakeem Jeffries, and Tom Rooney for their leadership and commitment to getting this bill across the finish line. As the Turtles would say, we’re grateful Congress is ‘so happy together.’”

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Below is a comment from RIAA President Mitch Glazier on the Senate committee’s vote.

“We are grateful that the Senate Judiciary Committee has taken the next vital step to advance the Music Modernization Act.  Music speaks to all parties, all people, in all places. And when a community comes together as we have done, with no segment getting everything they want but recognizing injustice and working toward a common goal, anything is possible. We welcome the momentum surrounding this bill and thank Senators Grassley, Feinstein, Hatch, Coons, Kennedy and all of the cosponsors, for leading the charge in the Senate to right a long-standing wrong with the CLASSICS Act.  We look forward to Senate passage of the entire MMA, and this crucial bill finally becoming law.”

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The post RIAA REACTION TO SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT appeared first on RIAA.

“With this unanimous vote, we are one step closer to a once-in-a-generation reform of our music licensing laws. It’s a long time coming and we have much work to do, but the breadth and depth of unprecedented legislative support demonstrated over the last two weeks is illustrative. It is the result of a broken system that poorly serves creators and years of painstaking consensus-building by many key members of Congress. This bill has advanced as far as it has because its component parts reflect reforms of the entire music ecosystem. That is an essential ingredient.

“Our focus and attention now turns to the Senate. We are fortunate that the major planks of the House-passed ‘Music Modernization Act’ enjoy bipartisan support in the Senate, and we look forward to working with Senators and their staff as they consider and advance these key reforms.”

The post BIPARTISAN MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT UNANIMOUSLY PASSES U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES appeared first on RIAA.

WASHINGTON – The United States House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously today (32-0) to approve the new Music Modernization Act (H.R. 5447), legislation that would reform music licensing laws for the 21^st century – including the long-overdue CLASSICS Act. Below is a comment from Chairman & CEO Cary Sherman on the advancement of this critical consensus bill.

“As this historic legislation begins to advance through Congress, we move one step closer to the finish line.  A unanimous vote should send unmistakable signal to lawmakers in both chambers:  this package of reforms enjoys deep, bipartisan support.  And for good reason –  this bill is 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.  We are grateful for the stewardship of Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Nadler, as well as Representatives Issa, Johnson, Collins, Jeffries, Smith, and Deutch, who all have been tireless advocates for this important legislation. We now look to the House floor, and urge all Members of Congress to advance this bill to help make these critical reforms a reality.”

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Contact:

Jonathan Lamy

Cara Duckworth Weiblinger

Liz Kennedy

(202) 775-0101

The post NEW MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE appeared first on RIAA.

WASHINGTON, DC – After several years of discussions and hearings, this week the House Judiciary Committee is slated to vote on a package of music licensing reforms introduced today by Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), and Representatives Issa (R-Calif.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Lamar Smith (R-Texas), and Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) called the new “Music Modernization Act” (H.R. 5447).  The new bill includes the original Music Modernization Act, the CLASSICS Act, the AMP Act, and a market-based rate standard for statutory licenses.

“The introduction of this new package bill, by the senior leadership of the House Judiciary Committee, is an unmistakable sign of more progress on several well-studied music licensing reforms, including the long-overdue CLASSICS Act,” said Cary Sherman, Chairman & CEO, RIAA.  “It is a consensus bill widely supported by thousands of artists and songwriters, dozens of music organizations and leading technology companies.  It is ready for a committee vote.

“There should be no debate that the greatest generation of music deserves to be paid when their recordings are played on digital radio. The time is now. These reforms have the potential to shape our industry’s future as they serve those in the music community who need them the most.  We are grateful for the leadership of Chairman Goodlatte, along with Ranking Member Nadler, and Representatives Issa, Johnson, Collins, Jeffries, Smith and Deutch as they work to make these critical reforms a reality.”

THE KEY PIECES OF THE NEW MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT:

The Music Modernization Act  (H.R. 4706, S. 2334) is the most significant update to music copyright law for songwriters in a generation. The bill improves both how, and how much, songwriters are paid. The bill reforms Section 115 of the U.S. Copyright Act to create a single licensing entity that administers the mechanical reproduction rights for digital uses of musical compositions – like those used in interactive streaming models offered by Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Pandora, Google and others. It also repeals Section 114(i) and, consistent with most federal litigation, utilizes random assignment of judges to decide ASCAP and BMI rate-setting cases – two provisions that will enable fairer outcomes for songwriters and composers.

The CLASSICS Act (H.R. 3301, S. 2393) is overdue legislation that addresses one of copyright law’s most glaring loopholes: the lack of payment for the streaming of recordings made before 1972. Legacy artists who recorded music before 1972 are not entitled to be paid royalties under federal copyright law when their music is played on digital radio (think Pandora and SiriusXM). Many legacy artists are no longer able to tour in order to earn a living, so this unfortunate gap in the law has an enormous effect on their livelihoods. The CLASSICS Act would treat legacy artists the same way their contemporaries are treated. Notable: Pandora supports this bill, along with the Digital Media Association (DiMA), and the NAACP recently endorsed the legislation, among others. On Valentine’s Day, Rock n Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love and Mary Wilson of The Supremes made a compelling case before Members of Congress and staff at a CLASSICS Act event on Capitol Hill (see footage here).

The AMP Act (H.R. 881, S. 2625) improves and simplifies the payment of royalties owed to music producers, mixers and engineers by allowing royalty collection/distribution organization SoundExchange  to directly pay these music creators. This formalized, streamlined process provides a consistent and permanent arrangement for studio professionals to receive their much- deserved payments for their contributions to the creation of music.

Market-Based Rate Standard For Statutory Licenses. The new bill would require a market-based rate standard for sound recordings for statutory licenses. This provision would allow the Copyright Royalty Board which sets rates for statutory services to consider the rates and terms that would have been negotiated in the marketplace between a willing buyer and a willing seller.

WHO SUPPORTS THE PACKAGE:

Virtually everyone in the music community, as well as the major technology platforms who distribute music.  In January, more than twenty of the largest music organizations in the country voiced their unified support. Thousands of performers, from featured artists to sidemen, backup singers and musicians, have joined the chorus appealing to Congress in support of these needed reforms. More than 28,000 songwriters have endorsed the MMA and more than 300 prominent legacy artists have urged Congress to support the CLASSICS Act, and those numbers are growing each day. The Digital Media Association and the Internet Association, which represent some of our nation’s largest technology companies, also support this package — giving it unprecedented cross-industry backing.

THE ROAD AHEAD

After the House Judiciary Committee’s expected approval tomorrow, the bill heads to the House floor in the weeks ahead for a vote before the full chamber.  The Senate is likely to conduct a hearing on the legislative package in May and a markup in the Judiciary Committee soon thereafter.

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WASHINGTON, DC — An unprecedented coalition of music artists, supported by eight leading music organizations, continues to grow, with 89 additional musicians joining the call on Congress to pass the CLASSICS Act. This bipartisan legislation has been introduced in both chambers of Congress and will address one of copyright law’s most glaring loopholes. The number of artists supporting CLASSICS now totals 302.

Digital radio makes billions of dollars a year from airplay of music made before February 15, 1972. However, because of a glaring inequity in copyright standards, artists who recorded their work before February 15, 1972 are not required by federal law to be paid when their work is played on SiriusXM and digital streaming services. The CLASSICS Act would correct this injustice and ensure that music creators who made those timeless recordings finally get their due.

The CLASSICS Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and will be a part of the music copyright package scheduled for markup by the House Judiciary Committee the week of April 9^th. Companion legislation in the U.S. Senate, (S. 2393), is sponsored by Sens. John Kennedy (R-LA) and Chris Coons (D-DE) and in recent weeks Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have signed in support of the legislation.

The growing coalition of artists urging passage of the CLASSICS Act is supported by music community leaders including A2IM, American Federation of Musicians, Content Creators Coalition, the Recording Academy, Recording Industry Association of America, SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange.

The artists recently joining the coalition to pass the CLASSICS Act includes:

Click here to see the full list of artists that have signed on in support of the CLASSICS Act.

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A2IM contact:
Dawn Kamerling / (646) 322-4903 / dawn@thepresshouse.com

American Federation of Musicians contact:
Rose Ryan / 917-229-0239 / rryan@afm.org

Content Creators Coalition contact:
Eric Jotkoff / 202-748-5342 / Eric@lawmedia.net

musicFIRST Coalition contact:
Isabel Rollison / 202-400-2611 / rollison@jdafrontline.com

RIAA contact:
Cara Duckworth Weiblinger / 202-775-0101/ cduckworth@riaa.com
Jonathan Lamy / 202-775-0101 / jlamy@riaa.com

SAG-AFTRA contact:
Pamela Greenwalt​ / 323-440-2892/ Pamela.Greenwalt@sagaftra.org

SoundExchange contact:
Sophia Majlessi / 202-696-1832 / smajlessi@soundexchange.com

The post 89 Artists Add Names To Effort Calling On Congress To Pass The CLASSICS Act appeared first on RIAA.

WASHINGTON, February 13, 2018 — An unprecedented coalition of 213 musical artists, supported by eight leading music organizations, called upon the U.S. Congress to pass the CLASSICS Act, bipartisan legislation pending in both the House and Senate to address one of copyright law’s most glaring loopholes.

In a two-page advertisement that will appear in Wednesday’s Politico, the artists state:

Digital radio makes billions of dollars a year from airplay of music made before Feb. 15, 1972. Yet, because of an ambiguity in state and federal copyright laws, artists and copyright owners who created that music receive nothing for the use of their work. The CLASSICS Act (H.R. 3301 / S. 2393) would correct this inequity and finally ensure that musicians and vocalists who made those timeless songs finally get their due. We urge Congress to pass the CLASSICS Act and other pro-artist reforms quickly.

The advertisement marks the start of a robust advocacy campaign by artists and music community leaders A2IM, American Federation of Musicians, Content Creators Coalition, musicFIRST Coalition, Recording Academy, Recording Industry Association of America, SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange.

The ad can be viewed here.

The CLASSICS Act is an essential component of a package of music licensing reforms supported by the organizations that includes additional critical reforms such as the Music Modernization Act (H.R. 4706 / S. 2334), the AMP Act (H.R. 881) and the establishment of market-based rate standards. In the coming weeks, music community leaders anticipate the House Judiciary Committee will commence formal consideration of the music licensing reform legislation with the goal of consolidating the key reforms into a single bill.

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A2IM contact:

Dawn Kamerling / (646) 322-4903 / dawn@thepresshouse.com

American Federation of Musicians contact:

Rose Ryan / 917-229-0239 / rryan@afm.org

Content Creators Coalition contact:

Eric Jotkoff / 202-748-5342 / Eric@lawmedia.net

musicFIRST Coalition contact:

Isabel Rollison / 202-400-2611 / rollison@jdafrontline.com

RIAA contact:

Cara Duckworth Weiblinger / 202-775-0101/ cduckworth@riaa.com

Jonathan Lamy / 202-775-0101 / jlamy@riaa.com

SAG-AFTRA contact:

Pamela Greenwalt​ / 323-440-2892/ Pamela.Greenwalt@sagaftra.org

SoundExchange contact:

Sophia Majlessi / 202-696-1832 / smajlessi@soundexchange.com

The post Historic Coalition of 213 Musical Artists Calls on Congress to Pass CLASSICS Act, Fix the “Pre-1972” Loophole for Legacy Artists appeared first on RIAA.

Washington, D.C.— Senators John Kennedy (R-La.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) today introduced the bipartisan CLASSICS Act (Compensating Legacy Artists for their Songs, Service, & Important Contributions to Society Act), taking a step closer to closing a flawed loophole that leaves some of our most cherished artists out of the federal copyright system. Currently only sound recordings made after 1972 receive payments from digital radio services under federal law.

This decades-old loophole has denied federal copyright protection to legacy artists who recorded music before the arbitrary cut-off date of February 15, 1972. The result: artists are subjected to a patchwork of unworkable state laws, robbing them of deserved royalties when their pre-‘72 recordings are streamed digitally and via Internet radio. The CLASSICS Act fixes this loophole by creating a new federal intellectual property regime to cover these “pre-1972” recordings. SoundExchange would distribute royalties for pre-‘72 recordings played by Internet, cable and satellite radio services just as it does for post-‘72 recordings.

Said Trombone Shorty (New Orleans-based musician, singer-songwriter, producer): “I want to thank the sponsors of the CLASSICS Act for honoring the rich musical heritage of Louisiana by introducing legislation to ensure that our legacy artists are treated fairly by digital music services.  The work of so many icons of American music who recorded before 1972 is part of the fabric of our cultural history and deserves equal treatment under the law.  It’s their recordings that inspired me and whole generations of artists to make music, and I am grateful to all of the sponsors of the CLASSICS Act for respecting their contributions.”

Said Dionne Warwick (legendary singer): “As a fellow New Jerseyan, I applaud Senator Booker for his support and leadership in cosponsoring the CLASSICS Act and gratefully salute all of the Senate sponsors.  Music is so important to all of our lives; to some of us it is literally our living.  But amazingly, because sound recordings prior to 1972 are not covered by federal law, artists and rightsholders are often not compensated for their pre-1972 music. This is not only a real harm to these artists who rely on royalties as their income, but it’s also just plain wrong.  Thankfully, this legislation would show the artists who’ve created some of our most beloved music not only admiration but respect. As I once sang in 1967, ‘I say a little prayer for you,’ and hope that this is the year when all those who write, sing, record, and produce the songs we love are recognized – and appropriately compensated – for their work.”

Said Mary Wilson (The Supremes): “As an artist who recorded music before and after 1972, I’m deeply grateful to the Senate sponsors for this important bill that will finally allow artists like me to get paid by digital radio services for our pre-’72 recordings. It’s unacceptable that songs by my group The Supremes like ‘Stop! In the Name Of Love’ or ‘Baby Love’ – both staples of SiriusXM’s ‘‘60s on 6’ station – are treated with less value than our 1976 hit ‘I’m Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking’ and so many others recorded after 1972. With this bill, we are finally giving legacy artists the respect they deserve.”

Said Steve Cropper (legendary guitarist and co-founder of Booker T. & the MG’s): “My first love has always been playing guitar, and throughout my decades-long career I’ve had the true pleasure of playing with some of the greatest musicians etched into music’s history – from Neil Young to Ringo Starr to Elton John to Isaac Hayes and so many more talented artists who felt blues, R&B, and rock music in their bones. I’ve also co-written and recorded songs like Otis Redding’s ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ and Wilson Pickett’s ‘In the Midnight Hour,’ among others – classic recordings from the ‘60s that are featured heavily on any digital radio service. It blows my mind that powerful digital radio corporations like SiriusXM can get away with making billions of dollars without paying legacy artists anything for playing their music. It’s downright disrespectful and truly unfair: songs made before 1972 should be treated no differently than songs recorded after 1972. I’m grateful to the sponsors of this bill for working to right this wrong and putting pre-’72 recordings on the same footing as all other songs.”

Said DJ Jazzy Jeff (DJ, musician, producer): “I appreciate all of the sponsors of the CLASSICS Act looking out for the legacy artists who made the era of music that inspired me to make music.  We can’t stand for the icons of American music to be treated unfairly by digital music services. I’m thankful that these senators have joined together to make sure we do right by artists who recorded before 1972.”

The legislation is a companion bill to the version introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last year (H.R. 3301) by Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) and is supported by scores of artists as well as a wide array of stakeholders from across the music and Internet communities.

“The artists that gave the world Motown, Jazz, and Rock n’ Roll have been hampered by antiquated and arbitrary laws – until now,” said Roger Lynch, CEO of Pandora. “While many heritage artists are compensated through direct licensing deals, including by Pandora, it’s the independent musicians that this bill rightly protects. We commend Senators Kennedy, Coons, Tillis, Corker, and Booker for bringing pre-1972 recordings into the modern era, and ensuring that our most cherished artists are fairly paid for their record streams and finally on equal footing with their modern peers.”

“The value that legacy artists have contributed to American culture and society through their incredible recordings is immeasurable, and the fact that these artists and labels aren’t paid by corporate digital radio services like SiriusXM is inexplicable,” said Cary Sherman, Chairman & CEO of RIAA.  “Momentum is building to fix this injustice and properly recognize these icons who paved the way for so many by giving them their fair share. Our sincere thanks to Senators Kennedy, Coons, Tillis, Corker, and Booker for this important legislation that will do just that.”

“This legislation erases an arbitrary and artificial line current policy draws between pre and post 1972 recordings, and rightfully provides compensation for some of America’s most treasured music,” said Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange.  “It is emblematic of the growing demand for comprehensive copyright reform, including market based rate standards and a performance right for sound recordings across all platforms including AM/FM radio.  We thank Senators Kennedy, Coons, Tillis, Corker, and Booker for advancing the movement towards fairness and equity for music creators.”

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Pandora contact:

Michael Crittenden / 202-261-4000 / mcrittenden@mercuryllc.com

RIAA contact:

Cara Duckworth Weiblinger / 202-775-0101/ cduckworth@riaa.com

Jonathan Lamy / 202-775-0101 / jlamy@riaa.com

SoundExchange contact:

Sophia Majlessi / 202-696-1832 / smajlessi@soundexchange.com

The post Justice For Legacy Musicians: U.S. Senate Moves To Close Decades-Old Loophole For “Pre-72” Recordings With CLASSICS Act appeared first on RIAA.

Currently, legacy artists enjoy no federal right to be paid by digital radio services for recordings made before 1972. Artists and record labels argue that some state laws, such as those in California, do provide protections for those pre-1972 recordings.  The artist listed above lent their names and voices to a powerful amicus filing in the case of Flo & Eddie (the Turtles) vs Pandora. Currently the California Supreme Court is considering whether or not a pre-’72 performance right exists in that state. The filing tells the story of California’s profound musical history and the artists that helped shape it, as told by the artists to veteran music journalist Steve Hochman (who penned the brief after many interviews). RIAA also filed a joint amicus brief in the case along with indie label trade association A2IM and indie label ABKCO.

Separately, the entire music community supports pending federal legislation, the CLASSICS Act, which would – once and for all – extend a federal performance right and compensation to those pre-1972 recordings.

The artists’ filing can be viewed here: Artist Amicus CA Supreme Court Filing

The post Musical Icons Stand Up For Right To Be Paid By Digital Radio Services In Powerful Court Filing appeared first on RIAA.

WASHINGTON – The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) has handed down its decision in the royalty rate case between music creators and satellite radio company SiriusXM for the years 2018-2022.  The CRB’s decision can be found here.  Below is a comment from Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Chairman & CEO Cary Sherman.

“The Copyright Royalty Board’s decision is an important move in the right direction, and we appreciate the work of the judges in reaching this decision in this case, but rates will remain short of what music creators actually deserve.

“For more than a decade, SiriusXM pocketed billions of dollars on the backs of music creators by paying below-market rates while the company crowed about record profits and boasted a market cap about the size of the entire recorded music market.  At the same time, SiriusXM continues to go out of its way to file lawsuits to deny fair compensation to legacy pre-1972 artists who depend on that income for their living.  That’s no record to be proud of.

“The structural flaws in the current music licensing system continue to hurt music creators and deprive them of a fair market return for their work.  The need for music licensing reform is more critical than ever.”

The post SATELLITE RADIO RATE DECISION IS “IMPORTANT MOVE IN RIGHT DIRECTION” BUT UNDERSCORES NEED FOR CRITICAL MUSIC LICENSING REFORM appeared first on RIAA.