The American Music Fairness Act requires terrestrial AM/FM radio stations to pay royalties for broadcasting sound recordings, like streaming and satellite services already do. The Copyright Royalty Board will set rates considering radios effect on other revenue streams. Small stations below revenue thresholds can pay flat fees instead of percentage-based royalties.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The American Music Fairness Act requires terrestrial AM/FM radio stations to pay royalties for broadcasting sound recordings, like streaming and satellite services already do. The Copyright Royalty Board will set rates considering radios effect on other revenue streams. Small stations below revenue thresholds can pay flat fees instead of percentage-based royalties.
Last updated: 1/4/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>American Music Fairness Act</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 radio stations to pay sound recording royalties
Extends public performance rights to terrestrial radio
Copyright Royalty Board sets rates
Small station flat fee option available
Creates parity with digital streaming services
Benefits recording artists and labels
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Currently, AM/FM radio pays composers and publishers but not recording artists or labels for playing their music—unlike streaming services that pay both. This bill would require terrestrial radio to compensate performers and record labels. The music industry argues this is basic fairness; radio broadcasters contend they provide valuable promotion that drives music sales. The tiered structure protects small and community stations from excessive costs.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Commerce
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
326, 119th Congress (2025). "American Music Fairness Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-326