On Thursday, June 18, a conference is scheduled to take place in London.
The Protect Working Musicians Act is again under consideration by the US Congress. The bill was originally introduced in 2021 and would permit independent artists to collectively bargain with streaming services and to decline licensing agreements if terms are unfavorable.
A revised version of the bill was presented in 2023, extending its scope to include music licensing by artificial intelligence companies. It did not pass before the end of the 2024 election cycle.
Congresswoman Deborah Ross reintroduced the legislation this week, maintaining a focus on both streaming and AI training, as well as collective negotiation for “small independent artists and music creators.”
A2IM is among the industry organizations supporting the bill. CEO Ian Harrison stated, “The explosion of AI and the continued dominance of a handful of streaming giants make it clear that independent artists need real tools to advocate for themselves.” Sony Develops AI Tracking System to Protect Original Music from AI Replication
The Artists Rights Alliance, American Federation of Musicians, Future of Music Coalition, Recording Academy, MMF-US, Music Artists Coalition, NMPA, SONA and UMAW are also supporting the bill. Universal Music Group and TikTok Establish New Licensing Agreement. Industry Conference to Address Emerging Trends in Music
