Protect Your Royalties: Submit Comments to the U.S. Copyright Office

Response to the U.S. Copyright Office’s Notice of Inquiry on “Issues Related to Performing Rights Organizations”

A critical conversation is underway on Capitol Hill, and your voice as a music creator is urgently needed.

It began when a coalition of music licensees—backed by their Washington lobbyists—raised concerns with Congress about the growing number of performing rights organizations (PROs) and how royalties are distributed. Their message represents only the interests of businesses like restaurants, bars, and live venues, while ignoring the composers, songwriters and copyright owners who rely on PRO royalties for their livelihoods.

This campaign isn’t about improving the system or addressing new PROs with extremely limited industry impact. The real goal is to reduce the compensation that music creators receive. Sadly, this tactic isn’t new—licensees have been using misleading arguments for years in an effort to protect their profits at the expense of fair pay for creators.

In response, the U.S. Copyright Office has issued a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) to gather public input on the effectiveness of PROs as they currently operate. It’s essential that they hear from the people most affected. A letter has been prepared to provide the creator’s perspective and highlight the harm these changes could cause. By adding your signature, you help make it clear to Congress that creators must be protected.

Please take a minute to stand up for your rights as a music creator—every voice truly matters.

Submissions have now closed.