HOUSE PASSES CASE ACT

The House of Representatives have passed the CASE Act, which simplifies how creators can defend their original works against unauthorized uses, by a resounding vote of by the vote of 410-6.

The Copyright Alternative Small Claims Enforcement Act now moves to the Senate, and various music organizations are encouraging members to contact Senators to urge them to co-sponsor the act.

If passed, the CASE Act will create the Copyright Claims Board at the U.S. Copyright office, establish a small claims court and cap claim damages.

"The Recording Academy applauds the House for passing the CASE Act today, another victory for music creators almost exactly a year after the Music Modernization Act was signed into law,” said Daryl Friedman, Chief Industry, Government, & Member Relations Officer for the Recording Academy. “We also thank the nearly 2,000 Recording Academy members who lobbied their legislators this month for the CASE Act. We now look to the Senate and the White House to get this bill into law and ensure music makers have access to the copyright protection they deserve."

Teri Nelson-Carpenter, National Chair and Los Angeles Chapter President of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP); Alisa Coleman, AIMP New York Chapter President; and John Ozier, AIMP Nashville Chapter President, have issued the below joint statement on the passage of the CASE Act.

“The AIMP is glad to see the CASE Act moving toward passage thanks to the U.S. House of Representatives’ overwhelming vote in its favor. For too long, independent publishers and songwriters have languished under outdated laws that allowed their works to be exploited without proper compensation. Coupled with the recently passed Music Modernization Act, the CASE Act gives these rights-holders the tools they need to stand up for their rights. We encourage the Senate to pass this legislation as soon as possible.”