Grassley, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Major Music Reform Package

Washington, DC— Today, US Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and a bipartisan group of Senators including Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Kennedy (R-LA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Bob Corker (R-TN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Doug Jones (D-AL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Bill Nelson (D-FL) David Perdue (R-GA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced a major music reform package. The package, which is titled the Music Modernization Act, will bring outdated music licensing laws into the 21^st century and create a fairer marketplace for songwriters and other content creators. It combines three previously introduced pieces of legislation—the Music Modernization Act (MMA), the Compensating Legacy Artists for their Songs, Service, & Important Contributions to Society (CLASSICS) Act, and the Allocation for Music Producers (AMP) Act. A similar package recently passed the US House of Representatives by an overwhelming vote of 415-0. The bill introduced today has virtually unheard of support across the music industry and will make a real difference for songwriters, recording artists, producers, sound engineers, digital music companies, and other music stakeholders.

“Though the way we listen to music may change over time, the lasting mark music creators from all generations leave with us does not,” Grassley said. “This broadly bipartisan package ensures that all music creators have the access to the royalties they’ve earned and that music lovers can better access these works of art. I’m grateful for the hard work of my colleagues and stakeholders to advance this much-needed reform package.”

“Today’s introduction is an important step toward enacting historic reform for our badly outdated music laws,” Hatch said. “For far too long, our old-fashioned, disorganized way of collecting and distributing music royalties has resulted in songwriters and other content creators being paid far too little for their work. It’s also exposed digital music companies to significant liability and created overall uncertainty in the music marketplace. As a songwriter myself, I know how important these issues are. That’s why I’m so pleased we’re taking this significant step today to bring fairness and certainty to our music laws.”

“I could not imagine a bigger boost for this legislation than to have Senator Hatch and Senator Grassley’s leadership, and I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation which includes the Music Modernization Act that addresses two of the greatest challenges facing songwriters: One is that the arrival of the Internet has meant that many songwriters aren’t paid royalties when their songs are played, and two, when they are paid, they aren’t paid a fair market value for their songs,” Alexander said. “This new legislation is broader, more effective, and includes all of the provisions unanimously approved by the House of Representatives in April. Now the Senate should do our job so this bill can become law this year, and songwriters can finally receive the money they are owed.”

“This legislative package will finally address the outdated laws that have plagued the music community for years, and I’m particularly excited that this is a bipartisan effort through and through,” Coons said. “First, this package will help ensure that songwriters, artists, and music producers are compensated fairly in the digital age, and second, it will make it easier for digital music platforms to get the licenses they need to play to music that we all love. This really is a win-win.”

“Artists who made music prior to 1972 are getting a raw financial deal because of an antiquated loophole in our legal system.  Our bill will close that loophole and finally give the recognition and compensation that these artists deserve.  Louisiana is the birthplace of jazz.  Artists like Fats Domino who contributed to that uniquely New Orleans sound are pioneers.  They deserve fair protection and payment for their contributions,” said Kennedy. “I am proud to be a part of this effort.”  

“As a music lover, I’m proud to cosponsor legislation that will bring clarity and certainty to our complex music licensing system,” Leahy said. “This system has underpaid artists and hamstrung innovative music services for far too long.  I look forward to continuing to work in a bipartisan way to bring these important reforms across the finish line.”