Congressman Rooney Supports Songwriter Legislation
On June 11, Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL) (@TomRooney) signed on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 4079, the Songwriter Equity Act of 2014. This bill, introduced by Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) (@RepDougCollins), would change copyright law to remove evidentiary barriers that are standing in the way of fair royalty payments to songwriters. First introduced in February, the bill has to date 22 co-sponsors in the House. As part of the House Judiciary Committee’s comprehensive review of copyright laws, this legislation was discussed at length at a Committee hearing on June 10, at which BMI CEO Mike O’Neill testified on behalf of BMI songwriters. Rooney, who previously served on the House Judiciary Committee, now serves on the House Appropriations Committee as well as the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Learn more about the Songwriter Equity Act here.
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