U.S. Senate Introduces a Bill to Give Music Producers Federal Copyright Protections

March 23

	After years of struggle, music producers and sound engineers can finally get federal copyright protection under US copyright law. And legally required payments. The news was delivered via the Recording Academy (the group that heads the Grammys). The bill, called the Allocation of Music Producers Act (AMP), will be the first to seek rights legislation for studio professionals like producers and engineers. According to Digital Music News: Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), along with Ranking Members Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), are pushing to bill onto the broader Senate floor. Among other things, AMP would give music producers and sound engineers the ability to properly collect royalties from organizations such as SoundExchange. Currently, SoundExchange shares digital (non-interactive) radio royalties with labels and performers, distributing a percentage to backing musicians and backing vocalists. AMP would extend this allotment to producers and engineers. Source: www.digitalmusicnews.com