Us Congress House Bill HB861

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/25
• Refer: 1/31/25

Caption

American Music Fairness Act of 2025

Impact

The bill impacts current state and federal laws governing music rights and broadcasting by introducing standardized royalty rates for radio stations, especially benefiting smaller broadcasters. For instance, specific fees have been set for terrestrial stations based on their revenue, which allows smaller entities to thrive while ensuring artists receive fair compensation. These changes aim to create a more balanced market for music usage, supporting both artists and smaller radio stations that may struggle under current financial obligations.

Summary

House Bill 861, titled the American Music Fairness Act of 2025, aims to amend Title 17 of the United States Code focusing on the treatment of radio stations and artists concerning the use of sound recordings. This bill addresses the ongoing issue of unequal compensation that artists receive for the use of their music by terrestrial and online radio stations. By aligning terrestrial broadcasts with existing performance rights for digital platforms, the act seeks to establish a more equitable framework for royalty payments across all audio transmissions.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 861 include concerns from small broadcasters about the financial implications of increased royalty rates. While the act provides protections and reduced fees for smaller stations, critics argue that any additional regulatory burden could threaten their viability. Additionally, there are apprehensions regarding how these changes will be enforced and whether they could inadvertently lead to less music diversity on air if stations become more selective in their song choices due to financial constraints. Furthermore, there is a dialogue about ensuring the rights of songwriters are preserved, as noted in the provisions meant to protect their existing royalties and performance rights.

Congress_id

119-HR-861

Policy_area

Commerce

Introduced_date

2025-01-31