The musicFIRST Coalition issued the following statement today from Executive Director Chris Israel on the Senate Judiciary Committee markup of S. 2823, the Music Modernization Act (MMA). The bill includes the CLASSICS provision that addresses specific legacy issues such as establishing federal copyright protection for artists who recorded their music before February 15, 1972. It also creates a single licensing entity to administer music publishing rights for all digital music and ensure producers and engineers receive royalties for their contributions to the music they help create.
“We applaud the Senate Judiciary Committee for taking a major step today to finally update the outdated laws that currently govern the music industry and harm thousands of music creators by not properly valuing their work. Among them are generations of legacy artists who recorded songs before February 15, 1972 and may finally get justice and fair compensation for use of their songs on digital platforms and satellite radio.
“It is no surprise the bill sailed through markup with bipartisan support. It is the product of years of careful negotiation with backing from the entire music community, including artists, digital music groups, labels and internet companies. We are grateful to Senators Hatch, Feinstein, Coons, Grassley and the many others who worked on this consensus legislation for their leadership and support. We are now one crucial step away from sending this meaningful legislation to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”
On April 25, 2018, the House unanimously passed this same package of reforms by a vote of 415-0. The bill now advances to the full Senate for further consideration.
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