President Trump Signs Music Modernization Act into Law

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, October 11, 2018 | 12:58pm CT

President Trump has signed the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (MMA) into law, the first reform of music copyright law in decades. The MMA includes language that formally establishes a role for Congress as the Department of Justice reviews consent decrees with the two largest performing rights organizations -- ASCAP and BMI -- which collectively license over 90% of the musical works that are played on local radio and TV stations.

Trump said, "The Music Modernization Act closes loopholes in our digital royalty laws to ensure that songwriters, artists, producers, and providers receive fair payment for the licensing of music. I've been reading about this for many years. Never thought I'd be involved in it, but I got involved in it. They were treated very unfairly. They're not going to be treated unfairly anymore."

NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith said in a statement, "NAB is grateful for President Trump's signature on the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act, thus culminating a years-long process to find consensus solutions to music licensing issues. This important legislation will benefit songwriters, legacy recording artists, producers, digital streaming services, and music listeners."

"We appreciate the bipartisan process that resulted in passage of this landmark legislation. Senator Hatch and Chairman Goodlatte deserve credit for their diligent work on copyright issues over the years, and NAB commends their leadership alongside Chairman Grassley and Ranking Members Nadler and Feinstein - along with Representatives Collins and Jeffries and Senators Whitehouse, Alexander and Coons - to skillfully guide this legislation through Congress."