Current Actions

California: Support Artists this Legislative Session

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

California lawmakers currently have the opportunity to protect music creator's from artificial intelligence (AI) abuse by supporting AB1836 and AB2602, two pro-creator generative AI bills. With the rapid growth of AI-generated digital replicas that impersonate an individual's distinct image, likeness, or voice without consent or compensation, California lawmakers must act swiftly to protect the creative community from having their likeness used without their permission.

Additionally, California lawmakers have the opportunity to prevent a harmful anti-artist ticketing bill by opposing AB2808. If passed, this bill would undermine an artist's ability to control ticketing for their shows; drive up prices for fans; and ensure resellers and illegal bots are able to claim the majority of the tickets at unchecked, sky-high prices.

Urge your state legislators to support AB1836 and AB2602 and oppose AB808 and help protect California's expansive music community!

Mississippi: Urge Support for SB 2778!

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Urge your state legislators to protect Mississippi’s music community and pass SB 2778, the "Mississippians' Right to Name, Likeness and Voice Act!” This important legislation would establish the state’s first ever statute to protect artists' name, voice and likeness while ensuring these protections are equipped for the growing Artificial Intelligence (AI) environment.

As generative AI continues to advance, it is becoming increasingly easier for users to replicate and impersonate artists through unauthorized use of their voice, image, and creative works. This practice of exploiting artists threatens the future of Mississippi’s creative community and the estates of legendary artists and songwriters.

The Mississippians' Right to Name, Likeness and Voice Act" (SB 2778) would ensure that Mississippi’s artists are protected and the music community continues to thrive.

Illinois: Protect Music Makers from AI Fakes

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Lawmakers in Illinois have introduced legislation that would modernize protections for music makers from having their likeness misused by generative AI systems. HB 4875/SB 3325 would strengthen Illinois’s Right of Publicity Law to protect artists' name, voice and likeness in the growing Artificial Intelligence (AI) environment.

Urge your state lawmakers to support HB 4875/SB 3325 and help ensure that Illinois’s creative community is better protected in the age of AI.

Georgia: Join Us In Establishing a Statewide Music Office

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Georgia’s lawmakers are currently considering legislation to establish a statewide music office that would ensure the state remains a leader in supporting music makers and the music industry. If passed into law, HB1048 would lead to the creation of the Georgia Music Office dedicated to supporting, and providing essential services to, our music ecosystem.

Join the Recording Academy, and our Atlanta Chapter, in urging local lawmakers to pass HB1048.

Protect Human Creativity

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the power to enhance the way people create music, but without safeguards in place artists will continue to have their intellectual property and identity stolen through AI. H.R. 6943, the "No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications (No AI FRAUD) Act," which was introduced into Congress on January 10, would establish a framework to protect music creator's right to their name, voice, image and likeness being used without their consent.

Help protect America's music creators and urge your representatives to support a swift passage of the No AI FRAUD Act!

ELVIS Act: Protect Tennessee Music Makers

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Urge your state legislators to protect Tennessee's music community and pass HB 2091, the "Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security (ELVIS) Act!" This important legislation would update Tennessee's Right of Publicity Law to protect artists' name, voice and likeness in the growing Artificial Intelligence (AI) environment.

As generative AI continues to advance, it is becoming increasingly easier for users to replicate and impersonate artists through unauthorized use of their voice, image, and creative works. This practice of exploiting artists threatens the future of Tennessee's creators, the jobs they support across the state, and the culture the music community brings to Tennessee.

The ELVIS Act (HB 2091) would ensure Tennessee's artists are protected and the music community continues to thrive.

Georgia: Protect Artists and Fans

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Georgia’s House Committee on Regulated Industries is currently considering HB 398, a bill that would make it impossible for artists to prohibit or limit the terms or conditions of the resale of a ticket. If enacted into law, there would be no way artists could ensure that fans are buying tickets at the price they set, and they would not be able to stop resellers from marking up ticket prices. If this bill passes it will negatively affect artists and consumers throughout Georgia.

Earlier this year, the Academy and our Georgia members helped defeat a similar bill in the Senate. Join us again and write to the House Committee on Regulated Industries in opposition of HB 398.

WA: Protect Artists and Fans

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

The Washington State House is currently considering HB 1648, a misguided attempt to reform the live event ticket marketplace. While the bill includes a number of reforms to address fake sales and hidden fees, it also strips artists of their rights to set and control ticket pricing. If this bill passes it will negatively affect artists and consumers.

Join the Recording Academy and write to the co-sponsors of HB 1648 and urge them to revise and improve their bill.

Share your Perspective on Generative AI and Copyright

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Acknowledging the explosive growth of generative AI and its impacts on copyright, the U.S. Copyright Office is exploring ways to govern the new technology. As part of its study on generative AI and copyright, they want to hear from you about the effect this technology has on artists, songwriters, and studio professionals. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard directly by the U.S. Copyright Office during this crucial time of policy making.

Join the Recording Academy and submit your own comment to the Copyright Office about the effects generative AI has on music makers.

Use the template we’ve prepared to get started, and feel free to personalize the comments and make them your own. Comments close Monday, October 30.

District Advocate: Tell Congress to Protect Creators' Rights

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

From A.I. to ticketing to freedom of expression, Congress has many opportunities to advance legislation that will protect music creators. This Fall, as part of the Recording Academy's District Advocate day, music makers from across the country are engaging with Members of Congress in support of policy solutions that will build a better world for music.

Join the Recording Academy in urging your Member of Congress to stand with the music makers in their district by supporting pro-music policies.

District Advocate 2023: Tell the New Congress "There Are Music Makers in Your District"

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

The 118th Congress is the first since redistricting took place in all 50 states and includes 75 freshman lawmakers elected to Congress for the first time in 2022. This means that there are a lot of new faces representing new communities and neighborhoods for the first time. Many of them are unfamiliar with the incredible music makers in their districts.

Let's change that! Send a message to your local lawmaker on X.com, and inform them that passionate music creators live and work in their district. Share your excitement about meeting them on October 5 for District Advocate day.

Florida: Protect Artists and Fans from Predatory Ticket Scalpers

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

The Florida State Legislature is currently considering SB 388 and HB 317, a bill that would make it impossible for anyone, including artists, to prohibit or limit the terms or conditions of the resale of a ticket. If enacted into law, artists would no longer be able to ensure that tickets are sold to fans at a price they choose. Instead, resellers will continue to be able to mark up the prices against an artist's will. If passed, this bill will harm artists AND consumers.

Urge your representatives to vote NO on SB 388 and HB 317 and protect artists and their fans.

Georgia: Protect Artists and Fans from Predatory Ticket Scalpers

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT

The Georgia State Legislature is currently considering SB 183, a bill that would make it impossible for anyone, including artists, to prohibit or limit the terms or conditions of the resale of a ticket. If enacted into law, artists would no longer be able to ensure that tickets are sold to fans at a price they choose. Instead, resellers will continue to be able to mark up the prices against an artist's will. If passed, this bill will harm artists AND consumers.

Urge your state senator to vote NO on SB 183 and protect artists and their fans.

Stop Harmful Fee Increase for Artist Visas!

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a proposed rule that would impose very steep increases to some of its filing fees, including for O and P artist visas applications used to bring foreign musicians to the U.S. to perform all across the country.

Under the proposal, filing fees would increase more than 250% to more than $1,600 per petition with additional changes to the filing procedures and application process. As a result, many performances would be canceled by artists who are unable to pay the new fee and there would be a decrease in cross-cultural opportunities.

Support HB 1330: The Georgia Music and Theatre Jobs Recovery Act

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Calling all Georgia Music Makers and Small Businesses: Contact your state senator in support of The Georgia Music and Theatre Jobs Recovery Act (HB 1330) a bipartisan bill currently being considered by the State Senate. HB 1330 passed the House 146-26, but still needs to clear the Senate with some marginal changes!

The goal of HB 1330 is to update the original Musical Investment Act to encourage growth of Georgia’s music industry, create and sustain jobs, and increase awareness of Georgia as a leading state for music production. While the bill cleared the House, we still need the Senate's support for this bill to become law and to work as intended.

It is important for your state senator to understand that you are the epitome of a small business. Music is a tremendous economic driver for the communities in which we live and work and as such should be considered in policy and legislation.

Urge Congress to Pass COVID Relief for Music

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

The clock is ticking...Congress has until the end of the year to pass COVID-19 relief for music makers and music small businesses. Failure to act will leave millions of music creators and businesses without the benefits they so desperately need.

Leaders in the House and Senate continue to identify ways to help the American people, including passing a number of top priorities that will help music makers and music businesses in need. Must-pass provisions such as expanded unemployment, support for closed venues and stages, and better access to small business loans are being strongly considered by lawmakers.

With the end of the year approaching, urge Congress to pass COVID relief that will help all music workers and small music businesses.

Be A District Advocate!

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Legislators in Washington continue to negotiate the next COVID-19 relief package, and we have to ensure they include critical relief for the music community. You can help make a difference by contacting Congress in support of key provisions that will help music makers and music businesses recover.

Tell Congress to support music makers and music businesses!

Save Our Stages!

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Congress is considering an important measure that would directly help save small venues and performing arts centers closed due to COVID-19. The bipartisan and bicameral Save Our Stages Act (S. 4258/H.R. 7806) would ensure that live music venues would have access to special grants designed to keep these critical facilities afloat for the next six months.

Contact Congress and urge them to include the SOS Act in the next COVID-19 relief package.

Help Creators in Need

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Thanks to extensive advocacy efforts by Academy members, the CARES Act included a $75 million supplemental fund for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in support of COVID-19 relief for the arts community. As of June 30, those funds have already been allocated and distributed to arts organizations in need.

With the pandemic continuing to decimate the arts sector, disrupting and upending a calendar’s worth of concerts, programming, and festivals, more direct assistance is needed to support the creative workforce. Congress must include more funding for the NEA in its next COVID-19 relief package, and ensure that any new funding can be used specifically to provide relief to the artists and creators who desperately need it.

As a District Advocate, contact Congress today and urge them to pass additional supplemental funding of the NEA with more flexibility to help individuals.

Thank Congress for Passing the CARES Act

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 04:00:00 GMT

3/27/2020 Update: The House has passed the CARES Act, and the bill will be sent to the White House to be signed into law. Thank you for your activism to ensure music makers are protected in the Congressional relief package.

Both the Senate and the House have passed the $2 trillion Coronavirus relief package, known as the CARES Act. The package contains a number of key protections for music creators struggling with the impacts of the pandemic.

Contact your lawmakers and thank them for protecting the music community in CARES Act (H.R. 748)!

Tell Senator Wyden: Stop Blocking the CASE Act

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 05:00:00 GMT

The CASE Act is being blocked in the US Senate by one senator, Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Despite already passing the House of Representatives by a vote of 410-6, and with widespread bipartisan support from his senate colleagues, Sen. Wyden refuses to allow the bill to be brought to a vote. His actions will prevent the bill from becoming law.

Whether you live in Oregon or not, Sen. Wyden needs to hear from creators to know that he is directly responsible. Contact him now!

Three Ways to Support Music Makers on Capitol Hill

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:00:00 GMT

On District Advocate Day, thousands of Recording Academy members met with their local lawmakers in support of three important policy initiatives being debated right now in Washington. Join the cause and amplify their message by contacting Congress today!

Show Your Support for Independent Creators

Thu, 16 May 2019 04:00:00 GMT

A bipartisan bill introduced earlier this year in the House and Senate would benefit countless music creators throughout the U.S. The CASE Act (H.R. 2426/S. 1273) would create a copyright small claims court for independent creators to turn to as a more affordable and efficient means to protect against copyright infringers. The bill passed the House of Representatives and is expected to be considered by the Senate soon.

Like the Music Modernization Act last year, the CASE Act has real potential to advance to the president’s desk and become law. Contact your Senators and urge them to support all creators by co-sponsoring this much-needed bill.

Tell Congress to Support Music, Not Big Radio

Wed, 09 Jan 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Big Radio is up to their old tricks in denying artists a performance right. Contact your Members of Congress to oppose the so-called “Local Radio Freedom Act” that puts Congress on the record against a performance right for traditional broadcast radio, and instead support bipartisan efforts to reach a consensus, common-sense solution that respects American artists.

Don’t let Big Radio stifle creators’ rights—tell your Senators and Representative to oppose this resolution!

Thank Congress for Passing the Music Modernization Act

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 04:00:00 GMT

In September, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives both unanimously voted to pass the comprehensive Music Modernization Act (MMA) and fix outdated laws so that all music creators are paid fairly! This represents the most significant update to music licensing laws in decades, and will benefit generations of music creators.

Please send a short message thanking your lawmakers for standing up for your rights in Washington!

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Thu, 18 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

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