Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Republicans from Texas, told us they’re working to amend music copyright legislation after concerns raised by Blackstone Group (see 1807240054). Two prominent songwriter groups accused the private equity firm and its music licensing entities of a greedy political play that could sink rare consensus music copyright change.
Opponents of the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision (see 1807200042 and 1807020035) sought to put a moratorium on states collecting online sales taxes from vendors without physical presence. Proponents told lawmakers to leave states alone, as the high court’s reversal is allowing responsible tax collection.
Issues raised by Texas Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and backed by performing rights organization SESAC could jeopardize Senate passage of the Music Modernization Act, said observers Tuesday. Cruz and Cornyn during markup (see 1806280062) voiced concern about the bill’s mechanical licensing collective (MLC), which would establish a royalty payment database overseen by the Copyright Office, precluding private entities from competing. Two experts said SESAC is concerned the new framework could put its Harry Fox Agency, which collects and distributes money to music rights holders, out of business. BMI said in a statement Tuesday it’s disappointed “last minute asks” could threaten the legislation: “We hope that the parties currently in disagreement can work together to resolve their issues, allowing this important piece of legislation to move forward.” SESAC is “committed to working towards a version of the Music Modernization Act that retains all of the benefits for writers, publishers and [demand-side platforms] and which will move music licensing into the 21st Century while supporting a competitive market in music rights administration,” a spokesperson said.
Opponents of the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision (see 1807200042 and 1807020035) sought to put a moratorium on states collecting online sales taxes from vendors without physical presence. Proponents told lawmakers to leave states alone, as the high court’s reversal is allowing responsible tax collection.
Opponents of the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision (see 1807200042 and 1807020035) sought to put a moratorium on states collecting online sales taxes from vendors without physical presence. Proponents told lawmakers to leave states alone, as the high court’s reversal is allowing responsible tax collection.
Issues raised by Texas Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and backed by performing rights organization SESAC could jeopardize Senate passage of the Music Modernization Act, said observers Tuesday. Cruz and Cornyn during markup (see 1806280062) voiced concern about the bill’s mechanical licensing collective (MLC), which would establish a royalty payment database overseen by the Copyright Office, precluding private entities from competing. Two experts said SESAC is concerned the new framework could put its Harry Fox Agency, which collects and distributes money to music rights holders, out of business. BMI said in a statement Tuesday it’s disappointed “last minute asks” could threaten the legislation: “We hope that the parties currently in disagreement can work together to resolve their issues, allowing this important piece of legislation to move forward.” SESAC is “committed to working towards a version of the Music Modernization Act that retains all of the benefits for writers, publishers and [demand-side platforms] and which will move music licensing into the 21st Century while supporting a competitive market in music rights administration,” a spokesperson said.
Issues raised by Texas Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and backed by performing rights organization SESAC could jeopardize Senate passage of the Music Modernization Act, said observers Tuesday. Cruz and Cornyn during markup (see 1806280062) voiced concern about the bill’s mechanical licensing collective (MLC), which would establish a royalty payment database overseen by the Copyright Office, precluding private entities from competing. Two experts said SESAC is concerned the new framework could put its Harry Fox Agency, which collects and distributes money to music rights holders, out of business. BMI said in a statement Tuesday it’s disappointed “last minute asks” could threaten the legislation: “We hope that the parties currently in disagreement can work together to resolve their issues, allowing this important piece of legislation to move forward.” SESAC is “committed to working towards a version of the Music Modernization Act that retains all of the benefits for writers, publishers and [demand-side platforms] and which will move music licensing into the 21st Century while supporting a competitive market in music rights administration,” a spokesperson said.
The intelligence community provides classified information to social media companies to help counter malicious foreign actors on platforms, said Department of Homeland Security National Protection and Programs Directorate Undersecretary Christopher Krebs Friday. Krebs didn’t specify what information is provided at the Washington Post-Hewlett Packard event on Russian interference. Representatives from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube confirmed to the House Judiciary Committee last week that each of the platforms removed Russian-linked accounts and content related to election interference (see 1807170043).
The intelligence community provides classified information to social media companies to help counter malicious foreign actors on platforms, said Department of Homeland Security National Protection and Programs Directorate Undersecretary Christopher Krebs Friday. Krebs didn’t specify what information is provided at the Washington Post-Hewlett Packard event on Russian interference. Representatives from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube confirmed to the House Judiciary Committee last week that each of the platforms removed Russian-linked accounts and content related to election interference (see 1807170043).
The intelligence community provides classified information to social media companies to help counter malicious foreign actors on platforms, said Department of Homeland Security National Protection and Programs Directorate Undersecretary Christopher Krebs Friday. Krebs didn’t specify what information is provided at the Washington Post-Hewlett Packard event on Russian interference. Representatives from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube confirmed to the House Judiciary Committee last week that each of the platforms removed Russian-linked accounts and content related to election interference (see 1807170043).