Welcome to Bulletin Board, Local 802’s new blog, intended to contribute news and information relating to issues currently concerning our membership. Bulletin Board will be a space in which we will share information about topics that directly affect us and our careers, from workplace concerns and industry challenges, to legislation, pension, and health care information.

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The way we listen to music has shifted. With the popularity of services like Pandora, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music, listeners are more likely to stream their music than buy it. Copyright legislation has not kept up with the changing trends or technology, and performers are not adequately protected.

Most Adults Support Fair Compensation for Musicians

According to a survey released by the Music First Coalition in January, 60% or more of adults say that AM/FM radio, YouTube, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and streaming services have some responsibility to compensate music creators fairly for their work. The survey also showed relatively equal support among Democrats and Republicans, making the possibility of broad, bipartisan support for copyright reform all the more likely.

Recently, federal legislation aimed at updating copyright law has been introduced. In addition to supporting the Fair Play Fair Pay Act, Local 802 recently endorsed the Music Modernization Act (MMA) and the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2017.

Music Modernization Act

The MMA was introduced by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Congressman Doug Collins (R-GA). It provides needed updates to the copyright licensing process by reforming Section 115 of the U.S. Copyright Act, creating a single licensing entity to administer mechanical reproduction rights. The MMA also closes the NOI loophole, which allows large media companies to utilize content without compensation so long as they make a nominal attempt to deliver a “notice of intent” to the copyright holder – which usually results in creators’ work being used effectively without payment.

Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act

The CASE Act was introduced by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Congressman Tom Marino (R-PA). The legislation aims to help small-scale and independent creators, who typically cannot afford the cost of litigating copyright infringement cases – a cost that averages $350,000. CASE would create a three-judge Board within the U.S. Copyright Office that can hear claims by these smaller creators, thereby creating a new mechanism by which to hold copyright infringers accountable.

You can find our press release endorsing the MMA and the CASE Act here.

Interested in getting involved in this issue? The next Artist Rights Caucus meeting is being held on Thursday, February 15 at 6 PM on the fifth floor of Local 802. Open to all active Local 802 members interested in economic justice in the digital domain. RSVP on Facebook here. (If you can’t make it on February 15, email artistrightscaucus@gmail.com to stay involved.)