Can the Reintroduced Protect Working Musicians Act Pass?

Photo Credit: Samuel Schroth

The Artists Rights Alliance launches a campaign to pass the reintroduced Protect Working Musicians Act, including town halls and an artist-led press on the Hill.

The Artist Rights Alliance (ARA) has launched the latest chapter in its efforts to protect and defend artists whose livelihoods are threatened by the ever-changing music industry economy. Building on years of work fighting for fair pay and fair treatment for working musicians, performers, and songwriters, the ARA will hold town halls in communities across the nation along with music industry advocates to educate policymakers and publish research on the challenges facing independent artists, and how the Protect Working Musicians Act (PWMA) can help.

Last week, the ARA proudly announced its support for Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC) in the reintroduction of the PWMA, backed by a major new advocacy push. The reintroduced bill was announced at a high-profile event and roundtable discussion at The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop in Raleigh last Thursday, where artists and industry veterans praised the legislation, spoke of the challenges they’ve faced with streaming platforms, and looked ahead to working to pass the PWMA.

“Working musicians are being marginalized while decisions about their life’s work are being made without them,” said Jen Jacobsen, Executive Director of ARA. “ARA’s top goal is to provide a platform for artists to have these important conversations and mobilize together to create change.”

ARA is proud to have worked closely with A2IM and music community peers to help launch this landmark legislation that would grant independent musicians and labels the ability to collectively negotiate fair licensing deals with large digital streaming platforms and artificial intelligence companies. The PWMA sends a clear message to artists that their voices should be heard and they have the power to change an untenable business model.

First introduced in 2023 and updated for the age of artificial intelligence, the PWMA addresses a fundamental power imbalance in today’s music economy. Under current antitrust law, independent artists have little ability to negotiate fair market-value rates when their music is used by global streaming platforms and virtually no recourse against AI companies that routinely use their music without permission, licensing, or compensation.

The legislation would allow artists, songwriters, and independent labels to join together and negotiate collectively with AI developers and streaming services, giving them a meaningful seat at the table for the first time and a clear pathway to fair and equitable compensation.