U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL) on April 11 applauded the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s unanimous approval of bipartisan legislation proposing substantial updates to U.S. copyright law pertaining to music licensing.
The Music Modernization Act, H.R. 5447, introduced just a day before on April 10 by U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), would establish a blanket licensing system for music copyrights to expedite the licensing and payment process, among other key provision changes, according to text of the bill.
“The Music Modernization Act is a critically important step towards finally bringing music licensing into the 21st century,” said Rep. Roby, one of 30 original cosponsors, who included U.S. Reps. Doug Collins (R-GA), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Tom Rooney (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tom Marino (R-PA), Lamar Smith (R-TX), and lead Democrat Jerrold Nadler of New York.
“Our outdated laws have created burdensome hurdles for the individuals who create the music that Americans across our country enjoy,” the congresswoman said.
Rep. Goodlatte, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced H.R. 5447 after leading a comprehensive, multi-year review of U.S. copyright laws. Rep. Issa, chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, and Rep. Smith, chairman of the U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, were among the lawmakers who also took part in the review, according to a statement released by the Judiciary Committee.
“This legislation, which is the first major update to our music licensing laws in decades, brings early 20th-century music laws for the analog era into the 21st century digital era,” Rep. Goodlatte said in a joint Judiciary Committee statement following the panel’s 32-0 vote approving H.R. 5447.
“As a music business major in college, I have greatly enjoyed being part of this historic moment for the industry,” Roby said, thanking Goodlatte for his leadership on the issue.
Among several provisions, H.R. 5447 would end a bulk notice of intent system currently used by the U.S. Copyright Office that can allow royalties to go unpaid and would establish uniform standards for the Copyright Royalty Board to set rates, according to a summary provided by the Judiciary Committee.
Additionally, H.R. 5447 would ensure producers, sound engineers and others involved in the music-making business received the monies they were owed. “The Music Modernization Act ensures that the creators receive fair compensation for their work and digital music services have an efficient licensing system to deliver what music lovers want,” Rep. Smith said.
Rep. Issa said H.R. 5447 has been “decades in the making and will equip our music industry to work for consumers and producers of music for decades to come.” He added, “I look forward to seeing this on the House floor and on its way to the president’s desk in short order.”
Rep. Roby said she also looks “forward to supporting H.R. 5447 when it comes before the full House.”