American Music Fairness Act of 2025
American Music Fairness Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# American Music Fairness Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would require traditional (terrestrial) radio stations to pay royalties to music copyright holders when they broadcast songs. Currently, most non-subscription radio stations don't have to pay these fees, even though streaming services and satellite radio do. If passed, the Copyright Royalty Board would set the payment rates that radio stations must pay, taking into account how radio airplay affects other ways people listen to music (like streaming services). **Who it affects:** The main groups affected would be traditional AM/FM radio stations (who would need to start paying royalties), music copyright holders and record labels (who would gain new revenue), and potentially listeners (depending on whether radio stations pass costs along).
Smaller radio stations may receive some relief based on revenue thresholds, though those details aren't fully specified in this summary. **Current status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House. This is an early stage in the legislative process.
CRS Official Summary
American Music Fairness Act of 2025This bill establishes that the copyright holder of a sound recording shall have the exclusive right to perform the sound recording through an audio transmission. (Currently, the public performance right only covers performances through a digital audio transmission in certain instances, which means that nonsubscription terrestrial radio stations generally do not have to get a license to publicly perform a copyright-protected sound recording.)Under the bill, a nonsubscription broadcast transmission must have a license to publicly perform such sound recordings. The Copyright Royalty Board must periodically determine the royalty rates for such a license. When determining the rates, the board must base its decision on certain information presented by the parties, including the radio stations' effect on other streams of revenue related to the sound recordings.Terrestrial broadcast stations (and the owners of such stations) that fall below certain revenue thresholds may pay certain flat fees, instead of the board-established rate, for a license to publicly perform copyright-protected sound recordings.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.