Efforts spearheaded by Recording Academy to introduce legislation on Capitol Hill that would increase music licensing fees have largely fizzled since the start of the 115th Congress.
A bi-partisan group of senators led by Utah Republican Orrin Hatch and Tennessee GOP senator Lamar Alexander hope that anti-royalty sentiment will change, thanks to their introduction today of a law they say would be “the most significant change in music licensing laws in decades.”
The NAB has already spoken up about the senators’ bill, and it’s concerned but pleased.
RBR+TVBR OBSERVATION (Full text below, for Members): Shouldn’t songwriters get the royalties they deserve for the airplay of their work? Of course. Doesn’t radio already shell out enough in royalty payments, and isn’t radio a “hit maker” for most artists? Sure. The “Music Modernization Act” seems more of a threat to digital audio. Given radio’s rise in that space, this proposed legislation is very important for broadcasters to monitor.
