We’ve been following plans for the US Music Modernization Act (MMA) for months, but yesterday saw the proposed bill formally introduced in the House of Representatives.
Pulled together from three previously-launched bills, it will shake up the way mechanical royalties are collected and paid out in the US, as well as tweaking the system for setting royalties for some digital music services, and plugging loopholes on licensing for songs recorded before 1972.
RIAA boss Cary Sherman described it as “an unmistakable sign of more progress on several well-studied music licensing reforms” adding that “these reforms have the potential to shape our industry’s future as they serve those in the music community who need them the most”.
There was also praise from the Content Creators Coalition (“a momentous day for musicians, songwriters, and everyone who loves music”) and the Association of Independent Music Publishers (“For too long, songwriters and publishers have been forced to deal with an outdated music licensing system that doesn’t work in today’s online world”).
ASCAP boss Elizabeth Matthews, meanwhile, hailed it as “one step closer to reforming our outdated music licensing system and providing songwriters a better future”.
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