Trade Groups Host Forum on Working Musicians Act

In the rapidly evolving world of digital music, a seismic shift is underway—but for many independent creators, the rewards are still being dictated by giant tech platforms. The power dynamic between working musicians and the streaming behemoths feels increasingly unbalanced, especially as generative AI enters the equation.

To confront this reality, a powerful coalition of music industry advocacy groups has joined forces with Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-NC) to host a vital discussion: Our Seat at the Table. This virtual panel cuts straight to the heart of the issue, tackling the severe power imbalances inherent in the digital music economy.

At the core of the conversation is the re-introduced Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026 (PWMA). This legislative effort aims to fundamentally restructure how creative compensation flows by addressing the antitrust hurdles that currently prevent small rights holders—independent artists, songwriters, and small record labels—from negotiating effectively with dominant streaming services and AI developers.

Currently, major labels possess enough market share to dictate non-negotiable royalty rates for independent creators. The PWMA seeks to flip this dynamic, creating an antitrust exemption that empowers musicians to:

• Negotiate collectively with streaming platforms for fair royalty rates.
• Establish market leverage to shift payouts away from platform-dictated terms toward mutually agreed valuations.
• Set terms with AI developers who train generative models using copyrighted musical works.

This virtual forum is more than just a policy discussion; it is a gathering of an unprecedented coalition representing every corner of the creative ecosystem—from songwriters and performers to managers, agents, and independent record labels. It signals a unified demand for economic sustainability in an era defined by technological disruption.

With generative AI reshaping royalty distribution and existing streaming structures remaining heavily skewed toward tech platforms, this bill offers a tangible regulatory pathway toward ensuring fair compensation for working musicians. It recognizes that true value creation shouldn’t be overlooked simply because the digital infrastructure is so complex.

Independent creators, managers, label operators, and industry advocates are invited to join this essential conversation and push for systemic change. If you want to be at the table where these critical decisions are made, there is a free opportunity:

Join the discussion live on Thursday, August 6th. The event will take place at 2:00 PM ET (12:00 PM MST). Don’t miss this chance to shape the future of music ownership and compensation.