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H.R. 4079

Songwriter Equity Act of 2014

Songwriter Equity Act of 2014 - Amends federal copyright law regarding the exclusive rights of sound recording copyright owners to remove a provision that prohibits license fees payable for the public performance of sound recordings, by means of a digital audio transmission, from being taken into account in any administrative, judicial, or other governmental proceeding to set or adjust the royalties payable to copyright owners of musical works for the public performance of their works.

Requires Copyright Royalty Judges (CRJs), when setting royalty rates under the compulsory license available for the reproduction and distribution of musical works (commonly referred to as a "mechanical license"), to establish rates and terms that most clearly represent the rates and terms that would have been negotiated in the marketplace between a willing buyer and seller.

Requires CRJs, in establishing such rates and terms, to base their decision on marketplace, economic, and use information presented by the participants. Allows consideration of comparable uses and circumstances under voluntary license agreements.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.

Rep. Collins, Doug [R-GA-9](R-GA)Sponsor
22 cosponsors13 D9 R
22cosponsors1committees4actions1related bills5subjects
  • Introduced in HouseFeb 25, 2014
  1. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.

  2. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  3. IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  4. IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Songwriter Equity Act of 2014 — Informed