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 Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act passed the house on one of the most lopsided votes in a very long time–378 yeas to 48 neas.  Like the Music Modernization Act, the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act brings much needed reform to the Copyright Office and removes the appointment of the head of the Copyright Office from the uneven purview of the Librarian of Congress.

Due to an historical quirk, the pre-New Deal Copyright Office has been located in the Library of Congress since its inception.  The last person who should be making this appointment is the Librarian of Congress who is unsuited to the task based on the controversial and antagonistic way she handled what I believe was a retaliatory firing of the last Register.  As we know from recent history, the rights of Congressional employees to question their separation is not a happy story.

This is the perfect opportunity to pass a popular bill in the Senate and if the Music Modernization Act benefits, then many would be happy about that, too.