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REP LIEU STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNING THE MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT INTO LAW

October 11, 2018

LOS ANGELES - Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles) issued the following statement after President Trump signed into law the Music Modernization Act (MMA), which Rep. Lieu helped introduce in the House. This bill includes the first meaningful reforms to the U.S.'s music licensing system in almost two decades and will help all players in the music industry—from music publishers to songwriters and artists to streaming services—thrive in today's technological landscape.

"I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill. This is a great win for the music industry and music lovers alike, especially in my district. My constituents include artists, songwriters, producers, music executives and technological innovators who will benefit from MMA's reforms. Fortifying copyright law ensures that they can protect their work and make a living doing what they love.

For too long, we've had an outdated licensing system that hindered artistry and impacted how we listen to music. Congress has worked hard to bring stakeholders together from across the industry to improve the mechanical licensing system – and this carefully crafted bill reflects the dedication of everyone involved. By creating a new body – the Music Licensing Collective – to match songwriters and publishers with recordings, and by creating a blanket license for streaming services, we can help ensure accurate payments to those who deserve to be compensated for their enormous contributions to society."

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