Ask Musicians For Music Act (AM/FM) Gives Artists Right To Say No To Radio

A new law that would give creators the right to keep their music off the radio and television has been introduced in both houses of the US Congress.

The Ask Musicians for Music Act of 2019 (AM/FM Act) has been introduced for consideration by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

Under current law, broadcasters can refuse to play a song, but songwriters, musicians and other creators are not given the same right. Many in the music industry believe that imbalance has made negotiating equitable compensation for creators impossible.

Unlike almost every country in the world, only songwriters are paid for U.S. radio performances, with no compensation going to musicians and other performers.

“We applaud Chairman Nadler and Senator Blackburn for their leadership in introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation to ensure creators receive fair market value for their music on all platforms,” said Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). “By requiring broadcasters to get permission from music creators to use their music in the same way broadcasters are entitled to give permission for the use of their signal – the AM/FM Act addresses inequities in law that should be fixed.”

“Introducing the AM/FM Act on the same day the House Judiciary Committee marked up the Satellite Television Community Protection and Promotion Act of 2019 (the “STCPP Act”) underscores a core principle: both broadcasters and creators deserve the same rights when it comes to the use of their property,” he continued. “The current state of the law granting broadcasters that right while denying it to creators is unjust and skews the market. We look forward to working with Chairman Nadler, Senator Blackburn and the entire music community to pass this bill.”