Recent Advocacy News

From News, posted 2.28.19. With the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) evaluating the future of the BMI and ASCAP consent decrees, there has been much discussion and concern throughout the industry about the potential long-term impact. This is not surprising, since modifying or sunsetting the decrees would have far-reaching implications for the entire music business.… Read more...

From News, posted 2.05.19. The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the Songwriters of North America (SONA) and the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), yesterday unveiled broad endorsements for their industry-consensus Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) submission to the U.S. Copyright Office (USCO). The submission, which will be filed by March 21, creates the collective required by… Read more...

From News, posted 12.04.18. The Songwriter MLC Selection Committee opened nominations in November 2018 for songwriter-members of the Board of Directors, Unclaimed Funds Committee and Dispute Resolution Committee of the Music Licensing Collective (MLC) to be submitted to the US Copyright Office for approval as established by the recently passed Music Modernization Act. With the… Read more...

From News, posted 11.05.18. Nominations are now open for songwriter-members of the Board of Directors, Unclaimed Funds Committee and Dispute Resolution Committee of the Music Licensing Collective (MLC) to be submitted to the U.S. Copyright Office for approval as established by the recently passed Music Modernization Act. Prospective nominees can be submitted at www.mlcsongwriters.com… Read more...

From News, posted 11.01.18. Music history was made on October 11, 2018, when the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (MMA) was signed into law. This important legislation updates U.S. copyright law for the digital age and aims to help songwriters and composers receive improved royalty payments for their work when it is streamed.… Read more...

From News, posted 11.01.18. BMI announced today that longtime political strategist Michael Collins is joining the company as Vice President, Government Relations, effective November 5. Collins will be based in Washington, DC and report to BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill. Collins will be responsible for leading BMI’s efforts to protect the rights of its… Read more...

From News, posted 10.11.18. Today, the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act was signed into law by President Trump, marking a historic moment for the music industry. Notably, this legislation recognizes the essential contributions of the songwriters and composers at its core, who will see significant and deserved benefit, while streamlining the use of… Read more...

From News, posted 9.25.18. BMI’s President and CEO, Mike O’Neill, responds to the Music Modernization Act unanimously passing the House of Representatives this evening: “Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of the Music Modernization Act, now known as the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act. We are now one step… Read more...

From News, posted 9.17.18. BMI is pleased to announce that longtime PRS for Music executive Karen Buse is joining BMI as Managing Director, European Society Relations, effective immediately. She will be based in BMI’s London office and report to Ann Sweeney, Senior Vice President, International & Global Policy. In this newly-created role, Buse will work… Read more...

From News, posted 8.23.18. Read BMI’s statement regarding a key development for the Music Modernization Act: “We’re excited to now have 60 Senate co-sponsors for the Music Modernization Act.  It’s an incredible milestone, but we’d love to see a unanimous vote, just as we saw in the House.  For the first time in… Read more...