Rep. Ted Deutch Introduces Protect Working Musicians Act to Level Playing Field for Independent Musicians

On October 25th, U.S. Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL) introduced the Protect Working Musicians Act, legislation that would allow artists and music creators to negotiate fairer rates and terms for the use of their music online.

Under current laws, small and independent musicians have little ability to bargain for market value rates for the use of their music by giant online streaming platforms. Instead, they must accept whatever terms are offered by platforms that have become essential pathways to reach fans and get heard. While standing alone, independent creators have little power: together, they could negotiate on a more level playing field and meaningfully negotiate fair licensing rates for their work.

"Through the pandemic, streaming services became even more indispensable, allowing us to enjoy the music we love, even when live performances were shut down. But with the exponentially increasing market power of a few tech platforms, the voices of independent musicians are getting harder to hear," said Rep. Deutch. "By empowering a more diverse chorus of voices to negotiate fair terms and rates for their music, the Protecting Working Musicians Act recognizes the fundamental value of music and gives working artists a fair shot."

The Protect Working Musicians Act would empower small independent artists and music creators by:

• Allowing working artists and independent musicians to band together to negotiate with dominant streaming platforms.
• Making clear the antitrust laws are no obstacle to these negotiations;
• Granting working artists and independent musicians the ability to collectively refuse to license their music to a dominant online music distribution platform that refuses to pay market value rates.

The Protect Working Musicians Act is endorsed by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) and the Artist Rights Alliance (ARA).

"The Protect Working Musicians Act is crucial legislation to make sure that indie music survives as distribution on dominant digital music platforms becomes all the more necessary," said A2IM President and CEO Dr. Richard James Burgess. "The power imbalance must be addressed by Congress so that creators and independent labels can band together to fight for fair compensation and against anticompetitive schemes that devalue music. Year after year these platforms grow their profits and subscriber bases at astronomical rates while artists struggle, especially in the wake of the pandemic. We thank Representative Deutch for standing up for the premise that artists and creators deserve to make a living wage even if they aren't a mega star or signed to a major label."

"We are so grateful to have a friend and supporter like Congressman Deutch, said Rosanne Cash, Co-Chair of the Artist Rights Alliance and GRAMMY winning singer and songwriter. "His appreciation for music is evident and his commitment to all musicians gives me hope that we can create a fairer, stronger music economy that works for fans, services, artists, and songwriters alike."

"The Protect Working Musicians Act is a huge step forward for independent artists and labels, whose livelihoods, at least in part, depend on the revenue generated from the major global streaming giants," said John McCrea, Co-Chair of the Artist Rights Alliance and Founding Member of CAKE. "We must level the playing field for them and boost their streaming payouts. This bill accomplishes that, and empowers them, by using free-market tools to ensure that all artists get fair market value for their work."

Those who would like to reach out to their representatives in support of the Protect Working Musicians Act can do so at the link here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/support-the-protect-working-musicians-act.