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Changes to Music Copyright Licensing

By Andrew Ramonas
July 02, 2014

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) is drafting comprehensive music copyright reform legislation, saying last month that such a bill would be the best way to address the problems he sees with the licensing system for songs.

Speaking at a House of Representatives hearing on copyrights, Nadler noted his support for the Songwriter Equity Act, H.R. 4079, the Respecting Senior Performers as Essential Cultural Treasures (RESPECT) Act, H.R. 4772 and other measures intended to improve music licensing. The changes sought through various music copyright bills, however, should go into an omnibus measure that brings “fairness and efficiency to our music licensing system” and ensures “no particular business enjoys a special advantage against new and innovative technologies,” he said.

“We can create a better system for radio competitors, for artists and songwriters, and for fans, all of whom depend on a vital healthy market for music and music services,” said Nadler, who is the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee's courts, intellectual property and the Internet subcommittee, which held the hearing as part of a review of safeguards for copyrighted material in the digital age.

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