115 Reform Bill Tabled for 2006, but Congress Commits to Early Attention in 2007

September 27, 2006 - Today Subcommittee Chairman Lamar Smith withdrew from Judiciary Committee consideration the Section 115 Reform Act, which was intended to simplify music licensing laws and help innovative legal digital music services compete against piracy.  Chairman Smith said he was confident that the Committee would approve the bill, but passage into law this year was unlikely due to the end of Congress’s session later this week, so charging ahead did not seem productive at this time. 

Chairman Smith, who may be Chairman of the full Judiciary Committee next year if Republicans keep control of the House of Representatives, said that music licensing reform is necessary, and therefore he will begin the 115 reform legislative process next year where he left off this year.  The IP Subcommittee’s Ranking Democrat, Representative Howard Berman (who may chair the Subcommittee if Democrats win the House), echoed Chairman Smith’s intention to complete music licensing legislation next year, as legislation is necessary for legal music services to thrive.  Representatives Darrell Issa (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and others also spoke in favor of early legislative action next year.

“Though 115 reform legislation did not become law this year, DiMA succeeded in many ways,” said Executive Director Jonathan Potter.  “We convinced Congressional IP policy leaders that 115 reform is necessary and that DiMA members’ conceptual goals – administrative simplicity, legal clarity and innovation freedom – are the right ones.  We gained favorable Subcommittee action, and were positioned to gain approval in full Committee when the clock expired and the game ended.  Next year, with the continuing support of Representatives Lamar Smith and Howard Berman, we are positioned to enact 115 reform legislation into law.” 

“DiMA members are most appreciative of the support our efforts received from Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner and Ranking Democrat John Conyers of the House Judiciary Committee, and Chairman Lamar Smith and Ranking Democrat Howard Berman of the IP Subcommittee,” said Potter.  “We look forward to working with these policy leaders and their Judiciary Committee colleagues next year, in what will certainly be a successful effort to put this bill over the top.”

DiMA Applauds Bill to Streamline Digital Music Licensing, Promote Music Innovation and Defeat Piracy

Reps. Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Howard Berman (D-CA) Introduce ‘Section 115 Reform Act of 2006’

June 8, 2006 – DiMA today commended Chairman Lamar Smith and Representative Howard Berman for introducing legislation that will promote greater innovation and competition among digital music providers, fair compensation to music creators and expanded music choice for consumers. The Section 115 Reform Act (SIRA) will provide a streamlined blanket licensing system that will enable digital music services to more efficiently access all copyrighted musical compositions. SIRA was approved today by the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property.