A new bill has been introduced where radio broadcasters would have to pay royalties to use artists’ music. The American Music Fairness Act was proposed Friday, January 31st.
Representative Darrell Issa and former Representative Ted Deutch introduced the bill into the House. So far over thirty-five bipartisan have co-sponsored the bill. The representatives “seek to establish a performance right for sound recordings broadcasted by terrestrial radio.”
Until now, the United States, Iran and North Korea are a few of the only developed countries that don’t pay artists for their work to air on terrestrial radio. The work the artists have put into their music; writing, studio time, voice lessons, instrument lessons; has not been compensated.
They do benefit from royalties on digital streaming sites such as SiriusXM, Spotify, etc. However, radio has never had to pay for their songs. The American Music Fairness Act will make it so creators will be paid for their hard work.
There are some stipulations. Small local radio broadcasters could receive an exemption for stations with less than $1.5 million in annual revenue and whose parent companies make less than $10 million in overall annual revenue. College radio could get away with paying only $100 a year to play music. Very small stations fall into that category as well.
Honestly, this seems like a great step for musicians. For more details on the Bill, click HERE