Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY: Reps. Holding, Conyers, & Music Legends to Host Press Conference on Introduction of the “RESPECT Act” – TOMORROW at Noon

Washington, DC, May 28, 2014

Congressman George Holding (R-N.C.) and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.) will hold a press conference on THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014 at NOON to introduce bipartisan legislation, the “Respecting Senior Performers as Essential Cultural Treasures” or the “RESPECT” Act. The RESPECT Act ensures older artists receive fair pay from the digital radio services that use their work.

Songs and other recordings recorded after February 15, 1972 are protected by federal law, while songs and other recordings recorded before that date are protected by state law.  Some successful digital music services refuse to pay royalties for “pre-72” music, however, arguing that the federal license they use doesn’t require payment for songs and recordings protected by state law.  However, they also refuse to pay royalties under state law – claiming that state laws don’t cover digital services at all. The RESPECT Act addresses this issue by requiring digital music services that use the federal compulsory license to pay royalties for the pre-72 music that they play.

What Press Conference on Introduction of the “RESPECT Act”
Who:
  • Congressman George Holding (R-N.C.)
  • Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.)
  • SoundExchange President & CEO Michael Huppe

Congressman Holding and Ranking Member Conyers will be joined by several legendary artists, including:

  • Martha Reeves of Martha & the Vandellas
  • Roger McGuinn  of The Byrds
  • Sam Moore of Sam & Dave
  • Richie Furay, of Buffalo Springfield and Poco
  • Dickey Betts, of The Allman Brothers Band
  • Al Jardine, of The Beach Boys
  • Mark Farner, of Grand Funk Railroad
  • Gene Chandler, "The Duke of Earl"
  • Karla Redding, daughter of Otis Redding
When: Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Noon
Where: 2237 Rayburn House Office Building

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