Proposed Law Would Protect Pre-1972 Songs Not Covered By Performance Royalty

New Law Proposed

Bipartisan legislation filed last week by state Sen. STACEY CAMPFIELD (R-KNOXVILLE) and state Rep. G.A. HARDAWAY (D-MEMPHIS) would close a loophole in copyright law and establish digital performance royalties for recordings that were made before 1972, reports THE TENNESSEAN.

The proposed law would address copyright law affecting songs recorded prior to FEBRUARY 15, 1972 -- which are currently not subject to a performance royalty.

"Advocates hope the legislation spurs Congress to notice and take action on the issue of royalty reform," writes the paper. "As of now, pre-1972 songs are protected by a patchwork of state laws and common law. Nonprofit organization SOUNDEXCHANGE describes digital performance royalties as 'fees that service providers such as PANDORA, SIRIUSXM and webcasters are required by law to pay for streaming musical content'.”

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