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COLLINS WELCOMES MUSIC LICENSING HEARING, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION

Northeast Georgia’s Congressman Says His Songwriter Equity Act, Other Bills Deserve Consideration in this Congress

WASHINGTON, June 9 -- Congressman Doug Collins (GA-09), the leading voice on music licensing reform and fairness in the 113th Congress, made the following comments in advance of Tuesday's House Judiciary Committee hearing on Music Licensing:

"Tomorrow the issue of music licensing is getting one of the many public hearings it deserves, but this first step needs to be followed by serious action very, very soon.  In the digital age, our outdated and unfair music licensing policies could totally silence the next generation of songwriters if this Congress delays action on music licensing.  I will not rest until my bill, the Songwriter Equity Act, and legislation like it that actually encourages American innovation get swift and thorough consideration. We owe this to every American who is—or dreams of—earning their living by the work of their heart as well as their hands.*”

Congressman Collins is the original author of the Songwriter Equity Act (H.R. 4079), which brings changes to the Copyright Act to remove government barriers that are standing in the way of fair royalty payments to songwriters. A Senate version of the Songwriter Equity Act was introduced last month.

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*This line is a reference to the lyrics of a song Congressman Collins co-wrote earlier this year with Nashville songwriters Gary Burr and Victoria Shaw called “Fair,” which draws attention to the issue of fairness for songwriters.  See video of that collaborative effort here.