The Internet Association, the trade and lobbying group which represents Google, Amazon, Spotify, Facebook and several dozen other major internet companies, today sent a letter to the bipartisan Congressional sponsors of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) calling on them to advance the legislation.
Microsoft, Eventbrite, Twitter, Netflix and Reddit are also among the members of the Internet Association supporting the MMA.
The Music Modernization Act would change the system for obtaining mechanical rights to a song. Today, licenses must be obtained on a song-by-song basis, which may have multiple co-writers, split across tens of thousands of music publishers. The MMA would create a blanket licensing system, much like a concert venue currently gets from BMI or ASCAP, with collective administration.
“With IA’s support, the MMA now has the backing of the entire music community.”
From Internet Association’s letter of support:
“The more than 40 members of Internet Association include the most innovative and forward-thinking companies in the world, including many internet platforms and services that depend on clear, reliable rules for licensing music. Such rules enable innovation and economic success. Success of traditional rights holders and contemporary internet models are intertwined. By fueling innovation, we can promote growth for diverse forms of creative expression.”
“With IA’s support, the MMA now has the backing of the entire music community,” said Internet Association President & CEO Michael Beckerman. “This bill builds on the internet innovations driving growth in the music industry to modernize music licensing laws. IA and our 40 members are fully committed to advancing this bipartisan legislation because it will strengthen the digital music revolution that’s bringing the industry -creators, consumers, and digital platforms- to new heights.”
Most, but not all major music industry trade groups have endorsed the legislation, as well.
To read the IA’s letter of support, click here.