This bill requires terrestrial radio stations to pay royalties for playing sound recordings, which they currently do not. Copyright Royalty Board would set rates considering radio impact on other revenue streams. Small stations can pay flat fees instead of standard rates.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill requires terrestrial radio stations to pay royalties for playing sound recordings, which they currently do not. Copyright Royalty Board would set rates considering radio impact on other revenue streams. Small stations can pay flat fees instead of standard rates.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>American Music Fairness Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill establishes that the copyright holder of a sound recording shall have the exclusive right to perform the sound recording through an audio transmission. (Currently, the public performance right only covers performances through a digital audio transmission in certain instances, which means that nonsubscription terrestrial radio stations generally do not have to get a license to publicly perform a copyright-protected sound recording.)</p><p>Under the bill, a nonsubscription broadcast transmission must have a license to publicly perform such sound recordings. The Copyright Royalty Board must periodically determine the royalty rates for such a license. When determining the rates, the board must base its decision on certain information presented by the parties, including the radio stations' effect on other streams of revenue related to the sound recordings.</p><p>Terrestrial broadcast stations (and the owners of such stations) that fall below certain revenue thresholds may pay certain flat fees, instead of the board-established rate, for a license to publicly perform copyright-protected sound recordings.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Requires terrestrial radio to pay sound recording royalties
Extends public performance rights beyond digital transmissions
Copyright Royalty Board sets royalty rates
Small stations may pay flat fees instead
Considers radio impact on artist revenue streams
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Artists and record labels would receive royalty payments when their music plays on AM and FM radio, which currently pays only songwriters. Radio stations would face new licensing costs.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Commerce
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
861, 119th Congress (2025). "American Music Fairness Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-861
