According to news that broke last week, "The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), Artist Rights Alliance (ARA), Songwriters of North America (SONA), and a large coalition of music organizations today lauded the reintroduction of the Protect Working Musicians Act (PWMA) by Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC). This landmark legislation would grant independent musicians and labels the ability to collectively negotiate with artificial intelligence companies and large digital streaming platforms."
A statement goes on to explain that, "First introduced in September 2023 and updated for the AI age, the PWMA addresses a fundamental power imbalance in today's music economy. Under current law, independent artists have little ability to negotiate fair market-value rates when their music is used by global streaming platforms and virtually no recourse against AI companies that routinely use their music without permission, licensing, or compensation."
"The legislation would allow independent artists and labels to work together to negotiate collectively with AI developers and streaming platforms, giving them a meaningful seat at the table for the first time, and a clear pathway to fair and equitable compensation."
“Tech companies have built multi-billion-dollar empires on the backs of independent music,” Lisa Hresko, COO of American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), told MC. “By allowing collective negotiation rights for independent artists, labels, songwriters, and publishers, the PWMA will empower the independent community, which constitutes over 44% of the U.S. market, in controlling their economic future. We thank Congresswoman Ross for her unwavering support of independent music.”
"Independent musicians are the lifeblood of a diverse and thriving music ecosystem, yet they continue to face an uneven playing field when negotiating with some of the most powerful technology and streaming companies in the world," said Ian Harrison, CEO of A2IM. "The Protect Working Musicians Act is as urgent today as it was when it was first introduced in 2023. The explosion of AI and the continued dominance of a handful of streaming giants make it clear that independent artists need real tools to advocate for themselves. A2IM is proud to stand behind this reintroduction and will continue fighting until working musicians have the rights and protections they deserve."
“For too long, artists and songwriters have been shut out of the music marketplace, unable to negotiate fair deals with dominant streaming and AI companies,” said Jen Jacobsen, Executive Director of ARA.This bill will ensure that music creators finally have a voice in their own livelihood and can participate meaningfully in the quickly evolving licensing landscape.”
"Congresswoman Ross has been an unwavering champion for independent music creators, and her commitment to economic parity in this industry is exactly the leadership this moment demands," said Lisa Hresko, COO of A2IM. "The reintroduction of the PWMA is a testament to her steadfast dedication to ensuring that independent artists are not left behind as the music landscape continues to evolve. We are deeply grateful for her continued advocacy and her determination to level the playing field for the independent music community."
"I’m so proud to live and work in Representative Ross’s district. Musicians have been denied a seat at the table in their own economy, with no right to collectively license with streaming platforms, with AI companies, with anybody. We’ve watched corporate giants diminish the worth of our labor to strike deals in their own favor despite the fact that the music economy is actually built on the work of artists. Thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Ross, there is hope for working musicians to actually control their own destiny." – Tift Merritt, Grammy-nominated Singer-Songwriter and ARA Board Member.
For updates on A2IM, visit a2im.org.
Lisa Hresko photo courtesy of A2IM
