I don’t often ask MTP readers to support legislation, but it’s also not often that we truly get a chance to do justice. The American Music Fairness Act is both.

The legislation closes the final loophole that allows broadcasters to get a free ride from artists on broadcast radio. Many people don’t know that the broadcasters have used their FCC licenses for the pubic airwaves to lobby against paying artists when a recording is played on terrestrial radio.

US law is entirely out of step with international law. Radio began using music to sell its service on the backs of artists since the 1900s, but has never paid the artists who made their business. If you’ve followed the #IRespectMusic campaign and commentary from Blake Morgan, this legislation solves that problem.

Representatives Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) introduced a new bill—the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA), H.R. 4130 to close this loophole.

The Copyright Alliance has created a handy “letter to Congress” webpage that you can use to send a letter to your Senators and Members of Congress which you can get here.

I want to strongly encourage everyone to sign up and help push this important legislation over the finish line.