New Federal Music Law Would Let Indie Artists Team Up Against AI & Streaming: ‘Level The Playing Field’

The Protect Working Musicians Act would give small musicians a free pass to collective negotiate with tech giants to win better pay.

A view of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Jemal Countess/Getty Images for The Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

A new proposed federal law would allow independent musicians to team up to collectively negotiate licenses with AI companies and streaming platforms to help them “demand fair compensation.”

The Protect Working Musicians Act, re-introduced Thursday morning (May 21) by Rep. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), will help “level the playing field” for indie artists, the Congresswoman tells Billboard, since they lack the same kind of negotiating leverage as major stars and labels.