NMPA Responds to Copyright Office Music Licensing Study
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) today responded to the U.S. Copyright Office’s report on music licensing. Last year, the Office began a broad review of the relevant laws governing the publishing and recording industries, specifically Sections 112, 114 and 115 of the Copyright Act. Today they released the results of their study in the form of recommendations to the U.S. Congress.
“We appreciate the Copyright Office’s in-depth review of issues so important to the American songwriter. The report bolsters much of what the publishing and songwriting industries have long said, that the legal framework devised over 100 years ago should not be applied to the music licensing landscape of today,” said NMPA President and CEO David Israelite.
“We applaud the recognition that music creators should be fairly compensated. However, while there is much to like in this report, we hope that Congress rejects any further regulation of songwriters. It is critical that songwriters are given the freedom of other intellectual property owners – to sell their creations in a free market. Until they can do so, they will continue to be treated unfairly by the very industry they fuel.”
About the NMPA: Founded in 1917, the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) is the trade association representing allAmerican music publishers and their songwriting partners. The NMPA’s mandate is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and songwriters in matters relating to the domestic and global protection of music copyrights.