WASHINGTON – A bipartisan
group of senators, led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley
(R-Iowa), introduced legislation to improve and simplify the payment of
royalties owed to music producers, mixers and engineers. The Allocation for
Music Producers (AMP) Act (S.2625) codifies these music creators’ rights to
collect certain royalties from the performances of digital music that they’ve
produced. The AMP Act is also cosponsored by the Judiciary Committee’s
Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.)
and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).
“Our
non-controversial bill would codify into law the right of producers and other
music professionals to collect certain royalties they have earned. This will
help support the role of these important individuals in the creative process.
With the introduction of this legislation, we take a positive step toward music
reform and make sure that all in the industry have a fair shake at succeeding.
I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort, and look forward to the rapid
enactment of this bill,” Grassley said.
“Great
music is the work of not just great artists, but talented sound engineers,
mixers, and producers as well. For the first time, this legislation protects
their contributions under federal law, and ensures that they can receive the
royalties they are due for their part in creating the music we so enjoy,” Feinstein said.
“Tennessee
is blessed with a vibrant music industry composed of accomplished producers,
talented songwriters, skilled musicians, and countless small and large
businesses. However, while the industry has transformed with advances in
technology and new platforms providing access to music, we have yet to
modernize the way music creators are compensated for their work. This
legislation will help improve the music marketplace so that it works not only
for consumers but also the countless people who bring to life the music we
enjoy each day,” Corker said.
“Producer,
mixers, and engineers play an indispensable role in the creation of music we
love,” Harris
said. “Though their contributions are being made behind the scenes, these
studio professionals should not be denied fair pay for their work.”
For
more than two decades, music performers have been able to collect a 45 percent
performance royalty from non-interactive digital music performances. However,
producers and other professionals supporting music production were not included
in the law establishing such royalty rights. They often enter into agreements
with performers to collect a portion of the performers’ royalties. Those
royalty payments are processed by SoundExchange, an independent nonprofit that
collects and distributes royalties to music creators and copyright holders. The
AMP Act streamlines the royalty payment process by allowing
SoundExchange to directly pay producers, mixers and engineers, pursuant to
agreements with music performers.
The
Amp Act is supported by the Recording Academy, which represents music creators,
performers, songwriters, producers, engineers and other music professionals.
Similar
legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives. Text of the
Senate’s
AMP Act is available
HERE.
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