SAG-AFTRA Supports Bipartisan Bill Introduction of CLASSICS Act
Washington, D.C. (July 19, 2017) – SAG-AFTRA, the union representing artists/singers on sound recordings, applauds today’s bipartisan introduction by Reps. Darrell Issa (R-California) and Jerrold Nadler (D-New York) of the Compensating Legacy Artists for their Songs, Service, and Important Contributions to Society Act (CLASSICS Act). The bill grants sound recordings made prior to 1972 federal copyright law protection to ensure royalty payments for legacy artists.
“We thank Chairman Issa and Ranking Member Nadler for their strong support of music creators. Establishing equal treatment for pre-1972 sound recordings is long overdue, and we applaud this bill for correcting that injustice. This bill, together with the Fair Play Fair Pay Act, and its creation of an AM/FM performance right and “willing buyer, willing seller” standard across all platforms will ensure that all artists from all generations receive fair market value for their sound recordings.” – Jeffrey Bennett, Chief Deputy General Counsel
About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.
###