Representative James Sensenbrenner & Senators Strom Thurmond& Jesse Helms have introduced legislation (House Bill 789 and Congress S.28) that, if passed, would virtually exempt all businesses from having to pay for the use of music at their business sites -- and cause all songwriters and publishers to lose vital income. In addition to the monetary impact, these proposed bills erode writers' claim to their own creations.
As songwriter/publishers, we rely on the royalties collected by the performing rights organizations for our income. Our music is the product of hard work and dedication, and we strongly contend that we are entitled to full remuneration for its use.
No one from the National Licensed Beverage Association or the National Restaurant Association (who have lobbied for these bills) has ever attempted to provide reasonable justification as to why they should not have to pay for the commercial exploitation of our product. (If they want to offer their patrons an air-conditioned environment, they must pay the power company for the ability to do so -- if they want to offer music as part of their ambiance, why shouldn't they have to pay those of us who provide the music?)
Current Copyright Law recognizes the value of music copyrights. Under this law, the performing rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI, Sesac) have established a licensing system that simplifies the commercial use of music whereby songwriters, composers, and music publishers are compensated for the commercial use of their works. When a commercial establishment uses music, the public performance of this music benefits the establishment. Under current law, each time music is publicly performed the copyright owner is entitled to a minimal compensation, and the forum in which the music is performed is required by law to have a license.
The performing rights organizations have been granted the right to collect royalties due the songwriters, composers and publishers.
These proposed bills (House Bill 789 and Congress S.28) would forevermore alter copyright protection in favor of the greedy, powerful, well-funded organizations that have Sensenbrenner, Thurmond, Helms (and 80 co-sponsors) in their back pocket. Thus, it is urgent for all of us stand up for our rights as creative artists and American citizens...

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