The Music Modernization Act (MMA), S.2334 officially passed in a unanimous vote by the US Senate on Tuesday (Sept. 18).
The overall goal of the act has been made clear — to alter outdated music copyright laws and bring the music industry into the current streaming age. The MMA act aims to accomplish three major things:
- Ensure artists and songwriters receive royalties on music recorded prior to 1972
- Effectively allocate royalties for music producers
- Update licensing and royalty rules for streaming services
The US Senator most invested in pushing the MMA forward, Orrin Hatch, made a statement: “With this bill, we are one step closer to historic reform for our badly outdated music laws.”
Leading up to the vote there was a great deal of heated debate surrounding the MMA. Particularly the part about pre-1972 royalties, which SiriusXM strongly opposed. A long list of all-star musicians including Paul McCartney and Katy Perry, plus songwriters, and executives stood by the MMA, and even threatened to boycott the radio company.
Despite all the drama, it all came down to this vote. The Music Modernization Act is now in effect.
Source: Rolling Stone | Photo via Calder Wilson for Insomniac