Press Release
| NMPA, DiMA and RIAA Express Optimism for Passage of Landmark Digital Music Copyright Legislation | ||
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June 8, 2006 Washington, D.C. – Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) today introduced the Section 115 Reform Act of 2006 (SIRA) and will hold a mark-up of the bill in the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property. SIRA provides a streamlined blanket licensing system designed to enable digital music services to more efficiently access all copyrighted musical compositions. Jonathan Potter, Executive Director of the Digital Media Association (DiMA), David Israelite, President and CEO of National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) and Mitch Bainwol, Chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) issued the following joint statement: “Our member companies – digital music providers, music publishers and recording companies – stand much to gain from legislation that will bring music licensing into the digital era. We have been working hard over the past months to reach agreement about how to best approach this complicated and difficult task, and we are pleased that the bill introduced by Representatives Smith and Berman today reflects much of that work. While we have not reached complete agreement on all aspects of this legislation, we are optimistic that in the coming weeks we will work together with Chairman Smith and Representative Berman to ultimately pass historic legislation that will promote greater innovation and competition among digital music providers, deliver fair compensation to music creators and most importantly, greatly expand music choice and enjoyment for music fans.“ For more information contact: Ann Brown for DiMA: (202) 537-0093, abrown@digmedia.org Anna Marie Persky for NMPA: (703) 801-4709, anna@corallomedia.com Jonathan Lamy, Jenni Engebretsen, Amanda Hunter for RIAA: (202) 775-0101 DiMA is the only trade organization devoted exclusively to meeting the needs of digital media artists, consumers and producers. DiMA represents companies that develop and utilize digital technologies that enable and provide Internet music and video content. DiMA always supports fair payment to artists and creators. The National Music Publishers’ Association is committed to promoting and advancing the interests of music publishers and their songwriting partners. As the trade association for the music publishing industry, the NMPA’s goal is to foster a business climate that allows its members to thrive creatively and financially. Founded in 1917, the NMPA battles for domestic and global protection of copyrights. The NMPA advocates on behalf of music publishers and songwriters in high-profile litigation, business negotiations and regulatory settings. The Recording Industry Association of America is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members' creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States. In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect intellectual property rights worldwide and the First Amendment rights of artists; conducts consumer, industry and technical research; and monitors and reviews state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA® also certifies Gold®, Platinum®, Multi-Platinum™, and Diamond sales awards, as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino™, an award celebrating Latin music sales. |
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