No one is asking when the Transparency in Music Licensing and Ownership Act will be dropped, but in a way they don’t have to. Supporters of the bill (like the MIC Coaltion) get a lot of what they want in the Music Modernization Act–a Lessig-style registration requirement that is essentially an orphan works bill in disguise. Maybe that’s why they’re supporting the MMA.
If like me you haven’t been following the NAFTA renegotiation that closely, it’s time to focus. It was only a matter of time before Google and its fellow travelers among the usual suspects (Professors Goldman, Geist and Lemley, EFF, Public Knowledge, Center for Democracy and Technology, R Street, Engine and assorted other whingers) piped up […]
Does the Music Modernization Act reduce mechanical royalties?
The Music Modernization Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Hatch and Alexander and it’s a great fit with another bill co-sponsored by Sen. Hatch that’s way more likely to pass the Senate: The Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act. If you recall, the House of Representatives version of the Register of […]
While many in the music industry welcome this bill, smaller publishers and songwriters may be surprised to learn that several of the provisions in the Music Modernization Act may harm their interests.
It seems like every time I read the controversial Music Modernization Act (“MMA”) I run across a loose end or unintended consequence–and here’s another one. Many of us–myself included–argued for years that PROs like ASCAP, BMI, GMR and SESAC should be allowed to license both the performance right and the mechanical reproduction right for streaming […]
The anti-copyright crowd have a few different ways to turn astroturf into deceptively scholarly work product. One way is to take over otherwise credible brands to insert their own truthiness. In a highly predictable move, the American Law Institute, a reliable old brand in the law, appears to have had some sudden interest in writing […]
Facebook’s Monika Bickert, YouTube’s Juniper Downs and Twitter’s Carlos Monje will testify today at the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee to explain how their company’s profit from terror groups using their platforms. The hearing, Terrorism and Social Media: #IsBigTechDoingEnough? at 10 am ET today. As Ranking Member Senator Bill Nelson noted, the hearing is the first time […]
If all a digital music service needs to do in order to claim they have a licene to reproduce and distribute a song is send a notice to the Copyright Office is send a notice saying they can’t find the song copyright owner, how hard do you think they’ll look? Particularly if they know that […]
You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil […]
Music Technology Policy 
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