Trump signs Music Modernization Act, Landmark music bill

President Trump signed the Music Modernization Act (MMA) into law on October 11th, 2018. Many celebrities, including Kid Rock and Mike Love, who are avid Trump supporters were present. This Signing marks of one of the largest copyright reforms in the music industry in decades. The bill updates the copyright laws to be current with the digital streaming age. It hopes to make it easier for musicians and producer to collect royalties from streaming platforms

The Music Modernization Act was unanimously passed by both republicans and democrats. The bill, which is officially named the Orrin G. Hatch Music Modernization Act, streamlines the process for music licensing and updates rules about royalties for streaming music.

The bill accomplishes three main tasks: It streamlines the process by which music rights holders can be paid for their songs being played on streaming services. It includes a song’s producers in payment for when songs are played over satellite and online radio, the first time producers have ever been mentioned in a bill of this sort. It allows for payment of royalties for songs written before 1972, to both songwriters and performers.

The Act is a major step in the right direction. “Everybody knows this business of music is a very dirty business,” Rock said after the signing. “There’s a lot more that needs to be done here. We need to go after the record labels next, and things like free goods. But this is a great start to protect songwriters, producers, engineers — the unsung heroes behind many of these songs that go out there. People like myself who are maybe more at the top of the food chain, it really doesn’t affect as much. But I know many people it does affect.”

Hopefully, this bill will bring a livable wage to musicians and many others in the music industry. In an age where streaming and other digital platforms are not paying their dues.