Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.

As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.

The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.

Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.

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Home » Legislative Update » House Judiciary Committee Unanimously Passes the Music Modernization Act to Send to the Full House Floor


House Judiciary Committee Unanimously Passes the Music Modernization Act to Send to the Full House Floor

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The Music Modernization Act (HR 5447) was passed by the Judiciary Committee on April 11 who then sent it to the full House floor. This bill is the first piece of comprehensive copyright, music licensing legislation to come out of Congress in the past 30 years.  

House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (center) speaks on behalf of the Music Modernization Act. He and Judiciary Chair Robert Goodlatte (left of Nadler) are sponsors of the bill.

Sponsored by Judiciary Chair Robert Goodlatte (R-VA) and Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the bill is a compendium of three major pieces of legislation designed to bring music composition and creators firmly into today’s digital licensing sphere.  

The three components of the bill include the:

  • Musical Works Modernization Act—Establishes a national database and performance right collective for songwriters
  • AMP Act—gives royalty allocation rights to music producers and engineers who participated in the creation of sound recordings, giving them the right to collect future digital royalties.
  • CLASSICS (Compensating Legacy Artists for their Songs, Service, and Important Contributions to Society) Act—Establishes royalty payments to legacy artists whose works were performed prior to 1972

The bill was unanimously passed by the Judiciary Committee.







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