Thursday, December 21, 2017

COLLINS INTRODUCES MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT TO REFORM LICENSING LANDSCAPE

By Doug Collins (R-GA, 9th)

Washington, D.C. - December 21, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) has introduced H.R. 4706, the Music Modernization Act, to bring music licensing its first meaningful update in almost 20 years. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is the bill’s lead cosponsor.

“Songs reframe the world. They show us reality as it is and as it could be. I introduced the Music Modernization Act to move music licensing law closer to where it should be. 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. Only by ushering music licensing into the twenty-first century can we promote artistry and its appreciation long into the future, and that’s exactly what we’re doing with the Music Modernization Act,” said Collins.

“The House Judiciary Committee has undertaken a thorough review of the issues that adversely affect stakeholders in the copyright ecosystem. 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heard a diverse array of perspectives, and it is clear that stakeholders on all sides believe the copyright system is outdated and needs reform, particularly in the area of music licensing. The Music Modernization Act is carefully crafted legislation that will improve music licensing by increasing efficiency and providing greater transparency. One change it would make is requiring digital services to pay for a Mechanical Licensing Collective that would match songwriters and publishers with recordings to ensure proper payments. I am a proud cosponsor and look forward to working with industry and my colleagues across the aisle and in the Senate on advancing this legislation as well as other needed components of copyright reform,” said Jeffries.

Additional cosponsors of this legislation include Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), as well as Reps. Diane Black (R-Tenn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Pete Sessions (R-Texas).

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