The Songwriter Equity Act (SEA) is opposed by NAB...

The Songwriter Equity Act (SEA) is opposed by NAB and backed by RIAA, said the associations’ spokesmen in news releases Tuesday. Earlier that day, the SEA, which seeks to update sections 114(i) and 115 of the Copyright Act, was disclosed by Doug Collins, R-Ga. (CD Feb 26 p13). “NAB objects to changes in law that would deal with the financial imbalance between songwriters and artists by subjecting free broadcast radio stations to new fees,” said its spokesman (http://bit.ly/1c8ekjA). RIAA welcomes “Congress’ review of the laws governing music licensing, and whether those laws written long ago still work in the context of today’s dynamic music market,” said its spokesman Tuesday (http://bit.ly/1cQ26tv). “The bill introduced deals with some of the interconnected pieces of music licensing reform, and other issues are also important, such as ensuring that all creators are paid fair market value for their music, regardless of platform; payment for pre-1972 works [which do not fall under federal law]; performance rights for airplay; and improvements in the system for mechanical licensing."