ASCAP Board Members Urge DC Policymakers to Update Music Licensing Regulations
Radio Facts: ascap Board members Paul Williams and Jimmy Webb joined fellow songwriters, Members of Congress and music enthusiasts in the nation’s capital to celebrate ASCAP’s 100th anniversary and call on policymakers to join the movement to update the nation’s music licensing system for the digital age.At a press conference to announce the introduction of the Songwriter Equity Act, ascap President and Chairman Paul Williams thanked the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), for his efforts to level the playing field for music creators in the digital age:Our livelihoods as songwriters and composers depend on the income we earn from licensing public performances and reproductions of our works. That’s why the songwriting community I represent is so appreciative of the legislation that has been introduced today to address Sections 114(i) and 115 of the US Copyright Act. It will remove one of the artificial barriers that is keeping songwriter compensation below fair market rates and creating a dramatic disparity between the compensation of music copyright holders.Pictured (l-r) at the ribbon-cutting of the ascap 100th exhibit at the Library of Congress are ascap Board members James Kendrick and Leeds Levy, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), ascap President Paul Williams, Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), ascap Board Vice-Chair Jimmy Webb and Chief of the Library of Congress Music Division Sue Vita
