What is the Music Modernization Act (MMA)?

The Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (MMA) of 2018 or ‘Music Modernization Act’ for short, is the most significant piece of copyright legislation in decades and updates our current laws to reflect modern consumer preferences and technological developments in the music marketplace. The law is organized into three key titles: Title I—Musical Works Modernization Act; Title II—Classics Protection and Access Act; and Title III—Allocation for Music Producers Act.

Title I of the Act, the Musical Works Modernization Act, replaces the existing work-by-work compulsory licensing structure for making and distributing musical works with a blanket licensing system for digital music providers to make and distribute digital phonorecord deliveries (e.g., permanent downloads, limited downloads, or interactive streams). It also establishes a mechanical licensing collective to administer the blanket license, and a digital licensee coordinator to coordinate the activities of the licensees and designate a representative to serve as a non-voting member on the board of the collective.

For more information, visit the MMA page on the Copyright Office website.

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