NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Tricia Whitehead/ www.gospelmusic.org) - The Christian music industry, represented by the Gospel
Music Association (GMA), Church
Music Publishers Association (CMPA) and Christian
Music Trade Association (CMTA) today announced its support of new bi-partisan Senate legislation that will change current copyright law to ensure equity by requiring satellite services to comply with the same laws as
Internet music services – both in licensing and content protection.
The proposed Senate bill provides for amendments to Section 114 of the Copyright Act and was introduced earlier this week by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bill Frist (R-TN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The bill will provide content owners protection and compensation, currently not in place, for digital audio broadcasts on satellite radio that allow consumers to record, manipulate, and collect personalized music play-lists off of their radio-like services instead of buying a CD or downloading a song.
On behalf of the GMA, CMPA and CMTA, John Styll, president of GMA and CMTA, commented: "When written, copyright law did not anticipate the tumultuous climate of change brought on by digital technology. This major convergence of radio and downloading capabilities becoming available through satellite radio services are fundamentally changing the way music is distributed and consumed. While providing great opportunities, these technological advances require changes in the law to protect against a company transforming its radio service into a distribution service without the appropriate additional license. Our organizations are supportive of the reforms proposed by Senators Feinstein, Graham and Majority Leader Frist because they update the law in order to extend protections for music rights-holders in this new digital environment."
The RIAA, also a supporter of this bill reports that although several record companies have reportedly announced agreements with Sirius Satellite Radio for payments covering the download-like functionality of one device recently brought to market, legislation, such as the Feinstein Graham Bill, is still needed to ensure that the ability to cherry-pick songs for the purpose of building music libraries for free does not become a broader trend. About the CMTA and GMA The Christian Music Trade Association is a sister organization of the GMA which operates Christian SoundScan (www.cmta.com). Founded in 1964, the 4,000-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. The GMA represents all styles of gospel music including contemporary pop, rock, urban gospel, praise & worship, Southern gospel, country and children's gospel music. The GMA produces the GMA Music Awards, which recognizes achievement in all genres of gospel. For more information, visit www.gospelmusic.org.
About the CMPA The Church Music Publishers Association (www.cmpamusic.org) is an organization of publishers of Christian music which has a strong spiritual dimension who come together to share mutual areas of concern regarding copyright information, education, administration, and protection, facilitating public and industry awareness in these areas, and to develop continuing personal and professional relationships.
