April 25, 2018
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports H.R. 5447, the “Music Modernization Act,” which is important legislation to update and modernize music licensing to ensure that creators receive royalties to which they are due, and which would streamline processes and procedures to benefit the entire industry. The Chamber will consider including votes related to this bill in our annual How They Voted scorecard.
This legislation would:
- Help move music licensing law into the digital age while increasing efficiencies and transparency. The bill would reform Sec. 115 of the Copyright Act to create a single licensing entity to administer statutory license for the mechanical reproduction and distribution of musical works. This modernization would facilitate proper royalty payments to copyright owners, as well as facilitate the lawful use of musical works by internet platforms, including interactive streaming services.
- Update copyright protection for pre-1972 recordings and ensure that both pre- and post-1972 recordings are treated uniformly.
- Amend federal copyright law to ensure producers, mixers, and sound engineers that are part of the creative process behind the sound recording receive appropriate royalties.
H.R. 5447 would help ensure fair compensation to artists and other creators, and increase certainty and efficiencies across the entire industry. We look forward to working with the entire Congress on these issues throughout the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Jack Howard
