Congresswoman Ross Introduces Legislation to Support Independent Musicians and Ensure Fair Negotiations with Streaming Platforms and AI Developers

 

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) introduced the Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026. This legislation will give small independent artists and music creators the power to collectively negotiate with both streaming platforms and generative artificial intelligence (AI) developers for fair compensation.

 

Under current law, small and independent musicians have little ability to bargain for fair compensation for the use of their music by global streaming platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Music. Instead, they are forced to accept whatever terms are offered by these platforms, while also having little recourse against AI companies who routinely scrape and use their music without consent. This legislation allows independent artists to band together and collectively negotiate with large streaming platforms and AI developers, without running afoul of antitrust law. 

 

“North Carolina has long been home to outstanding artists and a vibrant independent music scene that play a vital role in our state’s culture and economy,” said Congresswoman Ross. “Working musicians and small independent labels face urgent challenges to their livelihoods posed by the market power of streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Now, as the use of AI in music production explodes, it’s more urgent than ever to ensure artists’ creations aren’t being used without fair licenses and pay. The Protect Working Musicians Act will level the playing field for small, independent music creators, and empower these talented musicians to demand fair compensation.”

 

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Lloyd Doggett (TX-35). 

 

The Protect Working Musicians Act is endorsed by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), the Artist Rights Alliance (ARA), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Authors Guild, Future of Music Coalition, Recording Academy, Music Managers Forum-US (MMF-US), Music Artists Coalition, Music Workers Alliance, National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), Society of Composers & Lyricists, Songwriters Of North America (SONA), Songwriters Guild of America, and United Musicians & Allied Workers.

 

"Independent musicians are the lifeblood of a diverse and thriving music ecosystem, yet they continue to face an uneven playing field when negotiating with some of the most powerful technology and streaming companies in the world," said Ian Harrison, CEO of A2IM . "The Protect Working Musicians Act is as urgent today as it was when it was first introduced in 2023. The explosion of AI and the continued dominance of a handful of streaming giants make it clear that independent artists need real tools to advocate for themselves. A2IM is proud to stand behind this reintroduction and will continue fighting until working musicians have the rights and protections they deserve." 

 

“For too long, artists and songwriters have been shut out of the music marketplace, unable to negotiate fair deals with dominant streaming and AI companies,” said Jen Jacobsen, Executive Director of ARA. “This bill will ensure that music creators finally have a voice in their own livelihood and can participate meaningfully in the quickly evolving licensing landscape.”

 

"Congresswoman Ross has been an unwavering champion for independent music creators, and her commitment to economic parity in this industry is exactly the leadership this moment demands," said Lisa Hresko, COO of A2IM. "The reintroduction of the PWMA is a testament to her steadfast dedication to ensuring that independent artists are not left behind as the music landscape continues to evolve. We are deeply grateful for her continued advocacy and her determination to level the playing field for the independent music community."

 

“I’m so proud to live and work in Representative Ross’s district. Musicians have been denied a seat at the table in their own economy, with no right to collectively license with streaming platforms, with AI companies, with anybody. We’ve watched corporate giants diminish the worth of our labor to strike deals in their own favor despite the fact that the music economy is actually built on the work of artists. Thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Ross, there is hope for working musicians to actually control their own destiny.” – Tift Merritt, Grammy-Nominated Singer-Songwriter and ARA Board Member

 

Bill text is available here.

 

###