Advocacy/Legislation

This week Maria A. Pallante, the Register of Copyrights, testified at a hearing convened by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet to consider revisions to US copyright law. Pallante acknowledged the need to consider the rights of songwriters and composers alongside other music copyright issues.

Strong copyright law is an essential part of how songwriters and composers earn a living from their music. Increasingly, the fate of copyright is playing out on blogs, through social media and by word of mouth. We compiled a list of five resources that will educate and provoke you, and inspire you to take action.

Professional songwriters, producers and composers work behind the scenes of our favorite music every day, but their work is undervalued in the digital music landscape. That's why we support the Recording Academy's Give Fans the Credit initiative. Sign the petition and help get the credit you deserve.

ASCAP presented a performance and Q&A session with hit songwriters Josh Kear and Dan Wilson in Washington, DC. The event was designed to entertain and inform members of Congress and their staffs about the creative process of songwriting and the challenges facing songwriters in the digital world.

This week, Congresswoman Judy Chu (pictured) and Congressman Howard Coble launched a new bi-partisan Congressional Creative Rights Caucus. Its goal is to educate Congress and the public about the importance of preserving and protecting the rights of the creative community. This is great news for music creators everywhere.

The past two years have seen a four-fold increase in streaming music subscriptions in the US. Streaming is great for consumers. But as we usher in new technologies, we have to think about the way we they affect the songwriters and composers that make those technologies possible.

Congress has begun hearings on the "Internet Radio Fairness Act." ASCAP believes that any discussion of music licensing reform should address how Internet performance royalty rates undervalue songwriters, composers & publishers. We recently brought that message to Capitol Hill. We’re encouraged to know that our allies in Congress are listening.

In advance of a House Intellectual Property Subcommittee hearing on music licensing reform, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and the NSAI called on Congress to address the concerns of songwriters and composers, whom the groups say are being disadvantaged by a misaligned regulatory structure.

ASCAP's Board of Directors has elected composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Wicked) as a director, it was announced by ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. Schwartz was elected to fill the seat left vacant by the recent death of lyricist Hal David.