Senators Strike A Compromise

MORE NEWS!

• Senator Paul just released his hold.  We can stop calling his office.
• Holds are being placed by Senator Graham (still just calls please, no shaming) and Senator Lee  
• Let’s start calling Senator Lee’s office, please – 202-224-5444 and tweeting @SenMikeLee
• Also, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Mutt Lange, Bob Ezrin and many others have added their names to Ross Golan’s open letter to SIRIUS!  The list continues to grow so quickly we can barely keep up!
• Last night, Senators Menendez (D-NJ), Casey (D-PA) and Wyden (D-OR) agreed to co-sponsor, bringing us to 82!
• Yes, you read that correctly Wyden is co-sponsoring!  See below:

From: POLITICO Pro Technology Whiteboard <[email protected]> 

Subject: Hatch, Wyden strike compromise on music licensing legislation

By John Hendel 

09/18/2018 12:18 PM EDT

Senators today struck a compromise on the Music Modernization Act, which could pave the way for quick passage in that chamber.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who sponsored the Senate version of the bill, S. 2823 (115), is now offering a substitute. The new text, obtained by POLITICO, is designed to satisfy concerns from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a prominent holdout, who wanted to ensure that older sound recordings are made fully available to scholars, libraries and archivists.

The legislation, which enjoys backing from songwriters, publishers and broadcasters, would ensure that artists who released records prior to 1972 are paid royalties from digital streaming services. It would also streamline the process for those services to obtain music licensing rights.

The original Senate version, which had 79 backers, cleared the Judiciary committee this summer. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was the latest to lend his support on Monday. The House had unanimously passed its version in April.

Wyden was not initially on board. He filed an alternative proposal in May that would allow musicians to be paid royalties for pre-1972 recordings but put those works into the public domain sooner.

Hatch’s substitute would create a staggered transition by which songs recorded before 1972 enter the public domain and allow people to file with the Copyright Office to use older recordings for noncommercial purposes.

If no senator objects, the new version could pass the Senate by unanimous consent.

“Hatch hopes the Senate will pass it as soon as possible,” his spokesman told POLITICO.

To view online:
https://subscriber.politicopro.com/tech/whiteboard/2018/09/do-not-publish-hatch-wyden-strike-compromise-on-music-licensing-legislation-1941220