What does Preamble of Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to empower independent music creator owners. It seeks to enable them to collectively negotiate with dominant online platforms. The negotiation concerns the terms of music distribution.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026.

What does FINDINGS. of Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines findings regarding the state of the music ecosystem and the impact of dominant online music distribution platforms. It asserts that music is a cultural treasure and a significant economic driver, supporting millions of jobs and billions in economic activity. The text identifies a distortion and imbalance in the market for music licensing, alleging that dominant platforms leverage their market power to dictate licensing agreements to music creators. The current 'notice and takedown' system under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act is described as ineffective and burdensome for music creators. Independent Music Creator Owners are highlighted as particularly vulnerable, lacking the resources to negotiate fair licensing rates and often forced to accept unfavorable terms. The findings suggest this imbalance has negatively impacted music careers and cultural contributions. The section emphasizes the importance of antitrust laws in promoting fair and open markets, including those for music. It concludes that Congress has the authority to resolve conflicts between antitrust laws and their intended purpose, particularly when protecting online marketplaces for creative works.

What does SAFE HARBOR FOR CERTAIN COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATIONS. of Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the legislation, including 'antitrust laws,' 'Dominant Online Music Distribution Platform,' 'generative artificial intelligence,' and 'Individual Music Creator Owner'. It establishes a safe harbor from antitrust liability for Individual Music Creator Owners who collectively negotiate music licensing terms with Dominant Online Music Distribution Platforms or companies developing generative artificial intelligence. This safe harbor applies if the negotiations are not limited to price, are nondiscriminatory, and directly related to negotiations with the platforms. The Act clarifies that it should not be construed to modify existing antitrust laws.

Back to bills

Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026

Last updated: 6/10/2026 · Introduced: 6/10/2026

Author: Deborah Ross (D-NC)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill allows independent music creators to collectively negotiate licensing terms with online platforms without fear of antitrust lawsuits, provided the negotiations are fair and not solely focused on price.
The legislation recognizes the significant economic and cultural value of music while identifying an imbalance in the music licensing market due to the power of dominant online platforms.
It aims to empower independent music creators who often lack the resources to negotiate fair licensing agreements, potentially improving their careers and contributions to culture.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 8994(In Committee)Official page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

4 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account