WASHINGTON – On February 25, 2014, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8) released the following statement after becoming an original co-sponsor of the Songwriter Equity Act of 2014:

“The Songwriter Equity Act endeavors to modernize the music licensing system by updating provisions in the Copyright Act of 1976 to ensure songwriters are fairly compensated for their creative work.  In New York, there are nearly 80,000 songwriters, composers and publishers who deserve to make a good living.

As the caretaker of intellectual property law, it is important for Congress to make statutory adjustments when necessary to promote creativity in America. That is what this bill seeks to accomplish.  I applaud Rep. Doug Collins for his diligent work on this important legislation, and look forward to our continued partnership on behalf of the creative community throughout the country.” 

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Full text of H.R. 4079, The Songwriter Equity Act can be found HERE.