ICYMI – Portland NAACP Chapter Calls on Wyden to Reconsider his Opposition to Music Licensing Reform

Ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s mark-up of the Music Modernization Act this week, musician and president of the Portland chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) E.D. Mondaine penned an op-ed in The Oregonian voicing strong support of the bill. In the piece, Mondaine calls on Oregon Senator Ron Wyden to end his opposition towards the Music Modernization Act by way of his bill, the ACCESS to Recordings Act.

Mondaine’s support of the Music Modernization Act (S. 2823) includes a resounding endorsement of the CLASSICS provision of the bill, which would close a loophole currently preventing artists who created music before 1972 from receiving compensation when their music is played on digital streaming services and satellite radio. The legislation introduced by Sen. Wyden would take several years of compensation away from music creators – denying them the pay and retirement security they have rightly earned.

Below are a few noteworthy excerpts from Mondaine’s piece.

“Think about it. Can you imagine if you were being asked to forgo your income for five to seven years of work? That’s exactly what would happen to thousands of pre-1972 artists. For example, under Sen. Wyden’s legislation, Sam Moore of the legendary duo Sam & Dave stands to lose years of copyright protection for recordings like “Soul Man” (six years), “Hold On, I’m Comin'” (seven years) and “You Don’t Know Like I Know” (seven years).”

“Getting paid for your work, especially when someone else is profiting from it, is a uniquely American ideal. The Classics provisions in the Music Modernization Act will help thousands of pre-1972 music creators finally get the compensation and retirement security that younger artists receive.”

“Sen. Wyden has long been a champion for seniors, women, children and families. His track record on addressing racial disparities within the criminal justice system, marriage equality and other social issues is also exemplary. That’s why we’re counting on him to do what’s right and support the Music Modernization Act.”