Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Music Modernization Act Gains Momentum in Senate; Variety, May 15, 2018

Ted Johnson and Paula Parisi, Variety; Music Modernization Act Gains Momentum in Senate

"[Smokey] Robinson spoke forcefully on behalf of the MMA and particularly the CLASSICS Act, sharing how a few years ago, he audited the digital services playing his music and found they owed him $250,000. After confronting them, he was offered $12,000 and told, “If you don’t like it, sue us.” Robinson noted there are few artists with the economic means to take on that sort of battle, concluding “We need your help!’”

The legislation passed the House unanimously last month, and it also includes sweeping changes to the licensing regime for digital music services. A Senate version was recently introduced.

The Senators seemed inclined to provide that help."

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