Proposed changes to the Music Modernization Act would give greater representation to music creators and independent publiSongwriters Guild of America, the largest and longest-establiMusic Modernization Act (HR 4706) that will enable it to support passage of the legislation. Among the agreed-upon amendments to the bill are:
- the doubling of songwriter and composer representation on the board of directors of the Mechanical Licensing Collective establi
- clarifications to the payments sections that will make it easier for music creators to get the full benefits of their negotiated publishing agreements as applied to the distribution of what the bill refers to as “unclaimed” funds by music publiCopyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2017 (HR 3945). CASE will provide music creators with a much-needed alternative to expensive copyright infringement actions against unlicensed users of their music.
Speaking on behalf of SGA, multi-platinum songwriter and organization president, Rick Carnes, noted that, “The benefits of the pending Modernization law, with the changes SGA has successfully sought, have made the current bill deserving of our support. We continue to applaud the efforts of members of the music creator and publishing communities seeking further improvements that would make the proposed legislation even more advantageous to American songwriters, composers and independent publi
The Unclaimed Royalty Oversight Committee, whose role will be to oversee ownership and distribution of so-called “unclaimed” royalties, will now have evenly balanced, “five and five” representation among ten voting members. As to clarifications regarding payment of music creator royalties received from the Collective by music publiOther benefits of the legislation include the establishment of a system that:
- is likely to substantially improve royalty payment compliance by digital distributors of music on a going-forward basis;
- changes in royalty rate determination formulas that will benefit both music creators and their copyright administrators; and
- the promotion of greater fairness for US performing rights societies in their negotiations with users.
“Among SGA’s important roles following the bill’s enactment,” continued Carnes, “will be to assist the songwriter and composer community in making sure that every music creator receives the full benefits intended under the Act. That includes publication of materials designed to inform and remind creators, in consultation with their legal and financial representatives, how best to ensure the maximum receipt of all royalties to which they are entitled.”
Carnes also pledged that SGA will be in the forefront of efforts, along with its fellow MCNA music creator groups, to ensure that experienced, knowledgeable and — above all — independently-minded songwriters and composers are tapped to serve as board members of the Collective.
- clarifications to the payments sections that will make it easier for music creators to get the full benefits of their negotiated publishing agreements as applied to the distribution of what the bill refers to as “unclaimed” funds by music publiCopyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2017 (HR 3945). CASE will provide music creators with a much-needed alternative to expensive copyright infringement actions against unlicensed users of their music.
