U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) wants to bring music licensing into the 21st century via the Music Modernization Act of 2017, a bipartisan bill he’s sponsoring that aims to more fairly pay songwriters and copyright holders for their work.
Rep. Collins, who introduced H.R. 4706 on Dec. 21, 2017, said the proposal represents the most significant update to music copyright law in 20 years.
“I introduced the Music Modernization Act to move music licensing law closer to where it should be,” said Collins, the vice chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. “Today, the music industry is shackled to laws devised before streaming, and even basic recordings, existed — laws that penalize music creators and music lovers alike.”
Among several provisions, according to a summary from Collins’ office, the legislation would make digital services more transparent in determining the rights of publishers and songwriters.
Additionally, H.R. 4706 would require courts to consider free-market conditions when setting song reproduction rates.
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the bill’s lead cosponsor and a member of the House Judiciary Committee, said the committee has thoroughly reviewed myriad issues impacting professionals in the copyright industry.
“We have heard a diverse array of perspectives, and it is clear that stakeholders on all sides believe the copyright system is outdated and needs reform, particularly in the area of music licensing,” Jeffries said in a statement last month. “The Music Modernization Act is carefully crafted legislation that will improve music licensing by increasing efficiency and providing greater transparency.”
U.S. Reps. Diane Black and Marsha Blackburn, both Tennessee Republicans, also cosponsored H.R. 4706, as did U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY), who is chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.
Also endorsing the bill are a host of music industry organizations representing songwriters, digital providers, artists and labels.
For instance, a joint statement of support was issued by David Israelite, president and CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association; Elizabeth Matthews, CEO of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers; Mike O’Neill, president and CEO of Broadcast Music, Inc.; Michelle Lewis and Kay Hanley, executive directors of Songwriters of North America; and Steve Bogard, president of the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
In the statement, the music industry executives noted that the measure “represents months of collaboration and compromise between the songwriting and tech industries,” and thanked Reps. Collins and Jeffries for their efforts in creating a balanced proposal.
They added, “This legislation enables digital music companies to find the owners of the music they use and reforms the rate setting process for performing rights, ensuring that songwriters and music publishers are paid faster and more fairly than ever before.”
H.R. 4706 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.